Janet Garske

Janet Garske, age 82 of rural Churchs Ferry formerly of Minnewaukan and Devils Lake, ND was called home to heaven by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, April 2, 2009 at her home in the loving care of her family and Mercy Hospice. Funeral Services for Janet will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel Evangelical Free Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Bruce Dick and Rev. Durward Garrett will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Tuesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Janet will be her grandsons, Donald Blegen, Jamie Quiring, Jason Quiring and Jeffrey Quiring and her nephew, Lynn Garske and her cousin, Dick Evenson. Music will be provided by Shaun Prince, soloist and Mavis Blake, pianist. Janet (Anna Jeannette Ponto) was born on August 19, 1926 in Sheyenne, ND the daughter of Fred and Stella (Evenson) Ponto. She was baptized at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sheyenne on August 12, 1927. She attended schools in Tokio and graduated from Fort Totten School in Calvary Square in 1941. On August 18, 1945, Janet was united in marriage to Elmer Charles Garske in Devils Lake. They lived in Fargo for two years and 1 ½ years in California, before returning to Devils Lake to make their home and raise their family. Elmer died on September 21, 1986. In 1992, Janet moved to Minnewaukan. In December of 2006, Janet moved back to Devils Lake where she resided at the Odd Fellows Home until October 2008 when she was diagnosed with colon cancer and moved out to the Blegen Farm to be cared for by her family. Janet was a member of the First Baptist Church of Devils Lake until the doors of the church were closed in August 2007. She was a volunteer for RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), she cut hair at the Lutheran Home, was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 3696, a Cub Scout Leader, sales clerk at JC Penney, Montgomery Wards, Coast to Coast and Bell Drug. Janet retired in 1977. To think of Janet, brought visions of her delicious homemade cinnamon rolls, breads and canned goods. She enjoyed canning, baking, bowling, hunting, fishing, reading, playing cards, visits from her friends, story telling and especially spending time with her family. We have lost someone very special and she will be forever in our hearts. Those who shared in Janet’s life are: Son: Charles (Vicky) Garske of Marietta, Georgia Daughter: Denise (Robert) Blegen of Churchs Ferry, ND Daughter: Deborah Quiring of Devils Lake (Gary Quiring, Walhalla, ND) Son: David Garske of Minnewaukan Daughter: Pamela (Ben) Rivera of Crawford, Nebraska Foreign Exchange Daughter: Pat (Ben) Vilandre of Devils Lake Fifteen Grandchildren: Joshua and Elizabeth Garske; Donald (Lindsay Davis) Blegen, Kristi (Dan) Mosley, Kari (Jeremy) Ell; Jamie (Jeri) Quiring, Jason Quiring, Jeffrey (Misty) Quiring; Benjamin (Bonita) Rivera, Amanda (Brad) Williams, Amy Rivera; Michelle, Tania, Jacquie and Tracy Vilandre; Ten Great Grandchildren: Alyssa, Brandy and Samara Blegen; Nadia Quiring; Robert, Caitlyn and Alexandra Rivera; twins, Miah and Zoe Williams; and Erionna Vilandre. Brother: Norman (Kathy) Ponto of Bradenton, Florida; Sisters-In-Law: Pauline Ponto, Joanne Ponto, Juanita Ponto and Helen Cline and many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Stella Ponto; husband, Elmer; brothers, Henry Mayo Ponto and Adrian D. Ponto; great grandsons, Jayden Quiring and Ender Williams and great granddaughter, Harley Quiring. Memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice of Devils Lake