Janet L. "Jan" Magnuson

Janet (Jan) Magnuson, of Devils Lake, ND, passed away peacefully at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the age of 69.  Her husband, David, and twin sister, Joan, were by her side.  Janet Louise Paulson was born June 10, 1947, in Devils Lake, ND, the daughter of John and Joy (Higgins) Paulson.  She grew up on the family farm near Webster, ND, and as a child, attended Cleveland Harding Township School through the 7th grade, then Devils Lake High School, where she graduated in 1965.  She studied a Medical Secretary Course at Bismarck Junior College for 1 year, before being recruited by the Mayo Clinic to complete her training there, employed as Medical Secretary in Orthopedic Research at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, then moved back to Devils Lake and was a Medical Secretary at the Lake Region Clinic.  She relocated to Denver, where she continued her career as Medical Secretary, at the University of Colorado Medical Center, 1968-1971. From 1973-1975, she worked as Legal Secretary for Allen F. VanHorne, Attorney.  Janet returned to Devils Lake in 1975, and was a Legal Secretary for E. Jean Bartlett, Attorney, 1978-1979.   On April 12th, 1979, Janet married David Magnuson, and together they raised two wonderful sons, Sean and Scott.  In 1981, Janet and Dave started their own business, where Janet was Office Manager, until 1985, when she held the position of Executive Secretary for John T. Traynor, Grand Exalted Ruler, B.P.O. Elks National Office.  From 1986-1990, she was the Office Manager for Goulding's, Inc.  1991-1994, she was employed by the Elks Lodge as Secretary/Bookkeeper. Janet's last position was Administrative Assistant at The Village Family Service Center, from 1995-2003, when she had to retire due to health reasons.    Janet enjoyed travelling with David in their RV throughout the U.S., including winters in Arizona and trips to New England to visit family. She loved spending time with her two grandsons, Ethan and Hunter, and loved to hear all about their activities.  She was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church and Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.  She thoroughly enjoyed their meetings & festivities, and lunch dates with friends.  She also enjoyed bowling, camping, boating, gardening, and just being one with nature.  Janet had an extensive and diverse collection of owl figurines and crafts, and continued to collect them through her final years.   She is survived by her husband David Magnuson; son, Sean (Kea) Magnuson; grandsons, Ethan and Hunter; sister Joan (Chuck) Randle, and several nieces and nephews.   Janet was preceded in death by parents, John and Joy Paulson; brother, Dennis Paulson, and his wife, Eleanor; niece Kathi; and son Scott.   In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to St. Olaf Lutheran Church of Devils Lake. Funeral Services for Janet will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake, ND with the Reverend Jim Paulson officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home on Friday, March 17th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. with James Travers officiating.  Visitation will continue on Saturday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service.