Janet Kirchner

Janet Grace Kirchner was born on March 23, 1948, in Marshall to Marcel and Theresa (Boerboom) Louwagie.  She attended Holy Redeemer Grade School and Central Catholic High School in Marshall, graduating in 1966. Janet met Paul Kirchner at Valhalla Ballroom in June of 1969, and they were united in marriage at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, MN, on March 30, 1970. The couple raised six children while running a successful tire and rim business and farming near Dundee. Over the years, Janet enjoyed sewing, quilting, machine embroidery, canning, and gardening. Her baked cinnamon apples were a favorite at every family celebration, and the recipe was often requested. She loved her children and grandchildren and shared her love of sewing with them, making clothing and projects together, including coin purses, pillowcases, and placemats. Janet was very involved in 4-H for many years and received the Outstanding 4-H Leader award. She especially looked forward to attending an annual sewing conference with her daughters, which evolved into an annual shopping weekend with her daughters and daughters-in-law, where many memories were made and laughs shared. She was active at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dundee, where she was a lifelong member. In 2009, they moved closer to Fulda and built a new home with a dedicated sewing room. They were married for 56 wonderful years at the time of her death.

Janet was called from this life unexpectedly on Monday, April 20, 2026, at the age of 78. She passed away at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD, surrounded by her family. Janet’s legacy will live on as she was an organ donor. She is survived by her husband Paul Kirchner of Fulda; children Jocile (David) Nagler of Danvers; Patty (Brent) Grube of Benson; Jacob (Monica) Kirchner of Dundee; Claudette (Chuck) Ankrum of Tracy; Philip (Heather) Kirchner of Dundee; and Carmen (Brant) Jacobs of Sioux Falls; grandchildren Michael and special friend Lydia Wagner, Blake and fiancée Elsa Gjerde, Arianna, and Sophia Nagler; Riley (Hannah), Austin, and Kaylin Grube; Zachary and Wyatt Kirchner; Hayden, Nicholas, Jeret, Melaina, and Devon Ankrum; Tyler, Mason, and Brie Kirchner; Quinn, Kye, Zeke, and Izzy Jacobs; sister-in-law Kris Holm; brother Father Vincent Louwagie, sister-in-law Ardyce Louwagie, sister Marcella (Joe) Matthys, and brother Raymond (Cindy) Louwagie; along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Marcel and Theresa Louwagie, step-mother Ida Louwagie, siblings David (Virginia) Louwagie, Laurence Louwagie, Sister Marian Louwagie, James Louwagie, and grandson Ryan Kirchner. Blessed be her memory.

Mass of Christian Burial for Janet Kirchner, Fulda, will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda, MN. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, from 4-7 p.m.with a prayer service at 7 PM and one hour prior to mass at St Gabriel’s, Fulda. Interment will follow the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dundee, MN.  Totzke Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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