Obituary of Janet Kohlrust

Janet Kohlrust, Born March 1, 1939 passed on April 7, 2024 at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by Lowell Kohlrust, Husband of 61 years, Brother John and Parents Albert and Mildred Ortner. She is survived by her 2 sons Wayne and Tim, 6 Grand Children and 15 Great Grand Children.

Born in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, she moved to Chicago when her father was transferred to a new manufacturing plant, Latrobe Tool and Die. She attended Amundsen HS and was a member of multiple clubs and organizations. She went to college for a short time while working but chose to work full time. Janet and Lowell met in January 1956 and were married June 24, 1961 after Lowell graduated from college. 

Janet worked for Hurst’s department store as a teenager.  Janet then worked for Bell and Howell for a time until she was pregnant with Wayne, her first child. She had a second child, Tim and was a full-time mom by this time.

Moving from the Wrigley Field area to Rogers Park area of Chicago, She and Lowell raised the 2 boys. Janet volunteered full time for many years at Stone School where the boys attended. She had many duties there over the years as an office worker, schoolyard supervisor, traffic controller and classroom helper.  After Stone, she worked full-time at Crawford’s Dept Store as Executive Secretary to the CEO.

She always had the doors to the house open for friends of her kids. Sandwiches, cookies and popsicles were always ready for when they came bounding in. It didn’t matter who it was, if she didn’t know them, after an introduction they were welcome anytime.

Outside of raising the boys, she was a member and officer of several organizations including Horner Park Baseball where the boys played and Bellpark where she had many duties organizing events, picnics, dances and as Mrs. Claus, got dad ready to be the big guy year after year.

Jan and Lowell left Chicago and moved to Rio Rancho to be closer to the family. Jan put herself into her family. She became her grandchildren’s caretaker when they were less than a year old. Baking was a passion and she always had cookies and goodies ready for the kids when they came over.

Jan was also an integral part of her church. At Joyce UMC in Chicago, she was in the Women’s group, choir member, and kitchen helper and as the wife of the President of the trustees, she was at the church with the different projects needed to keep the church going. Jan also managed the church garden where we planted hundreds of flowers and plants over the years.  At Rio Rancho UMC, she worked in the kitchen, holiday banner creator, was a member of the VBS crew, member of the choir and helped where it was needed.

 

Jan’s memorial will be 10AM, June 1, 2024 at Rio Rancho United Methodist Church, located at 1652 Abrazo Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Rio Rancho UMC.

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