Janet Roenfanz

Janet Elizabeth Roenfanz, 97 of Ventura, died Thursday, April 14, 2022 at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake, Iowa. A funeral service will be 10:30 am Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 301 S. Main St., Ventura, with the Rev. Jesse Burns officiating.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City, Iowa. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. The family suggests memorial contributions to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Hospice of North Iowa.

Janet was born November 07, 1924 at the family farm in Ellington Township, rural Forest City, Iowa. She was the daughter of George J. and Maude (Tompkins) Meinecke. Janet was baptized, confirmed and married by Rev. W. T. Wolfram at St. John Lutheran Church, rural Garner, Iowa.

Janet received her education at Ellington Center #5 Rural School and at the Forest City High School, Forest City. She graduated in the spring of 1942. While in high school she took the Normal Training Course which prepared her for teaching in the rural school system. 

In the summer of 1942, she was hired to teach in the Ellington #6 Rural School, which was close to her home. Janet needed special permission to teach the three months before her eighteenth birthday. Special permission was granted and she taught at the school for two years. The third year she taught at her old school, Ellington Center #5, as the two schools were combined.

Janet married Harry S. Roenfanz on August 12, 1945. They lived at Harry’s home farm northwest of Ventura, Iowa. Harry and Janet were blessed with four sons: David, Daniel, Thomas and James. In the late 60’s during the fall months, Janet worked for her brother Cecil Meinecke at the Palace of Sweets in Forest City. They made delicious caramel apples and peanut brittle which was marketed locally. Her family always enjoyed those special double-dipped caramel apples and the left over caramel.

In 1971, Janet began full-time employment at Winnebago Industries thinking she may work for 6 months to a year to earn some extra money. Nineteen years later Janet retired in 1990. In the 19 years she worked in a variety of positions including 10+ years as a supervisor.

Janet and Harry moved from the farm to their Ventura home in 1981. She was a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Ventura. Janet was an active member serving in many organizational positions including: Sunday school teacher, Alter Guild, Dorcas and Fellowship Club. Janet also enjoyed working with the quilting group making many quilts for the Church’s World Relief program.

Janet is survived by her four sons: Dave (Betty) Roenfanz, Dan (Louanna) Roenfanz, Tom (Ruth) Roenfanz and Jim(Sandy) Roenfanz. Grandchildren: Holly Eichmann, Matt Roenfanz, Troy (Amy) Roenfanz, Travis Roenfanz, Shane (Kelli) Roenfanz, Abby (Josh) Cunningham and Kristen(Sarah) Roenfanz. Step-Grandchildren: Shawn Taylor, Beth (Dan) Colvin, Shelly Thostenson and Lori(Andrew) Althof. 

Great-grandchildren: Ty, Remy, Porter, Cooper, Max and Grant Roenfanz; Cassie and Zach Eichmann; Finnigan and Sebastian Cunningham.  Step-Great Grandchildren: Jack and Katie Colvin; Ali and Frankie Taylor; Taylor(Josh) Egesdal, Derek Schroht, Kaylie Nelson; Elizabeth, Hunter, Emily, Adyson and Andrew Althof. Step great -great grandchild: Brynlee Egesdal. Sister-in-law; Rose Meinecke as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, father/mother-in-Law: Walter T. and Wilhelmina (Minnie) (Wrede) Roenfanz; step mother-in-law: Laura (Krause) Roenfanz; sister-in-law Ramola (Cecil) Meinecke; brother/sister-in-law: Bob (Earl) and Barbara (Clark) Roenfanz: former daughter-in law: Sharen A. (Tarr) Roenfanz and nephew: Brad Meinecke.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 1st Ave. N., Clear Lake. (641)357-2193.  ColonialChapels.com