Janet Ruth Harnack Anderson, age 92, went home to Jesus on Thursday, November 27th, 2025. Janet was followed to heavenly rest by Ardell Stuart Anderson, age 93, her husband of 73 years, the following evening. The Celebration of Life Well Lived and Funeral Service was held at St. Olaf Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 3rd at 10:30 a.m. The family is grateful for the wonderful care provided for them in their last days at Prairie View Nursing Home, Avera@ Home Hospice and Sanford Medical Centers. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice. com. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Janet Ruth Harnack was born to Roy and Ruth Delong Harnack on August 5, 1933. Early on Janet became the caretaker when a fire at her home led to her helping in the long recuperation by many in the family. Confirmed at Sharon Lutheran Church, Janet graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1951. She passed on her cheerleading talent for encouraging and supporting others to daughters and granddaughters. As a cheerleader she got to know a young Ardell Anderson. After high school, on May 11th, 1952 Janet and Ardell were married at the Sharon Lutheran Church in Lamberton. Janet worked in a nursing home in Westbrook and hospital in Tracy and became the bookkeeper for Living Farms, an organic grain buying business. Later she worked as a teacher’s aide in the Westbrook Walnut Grove Elementary School. She excelled at feeding farm hands, participating in WELCA, sewing Halloween costumes, drawing, word searches, gardening and raising five independent children. She was a caring, patient and loving Grandma for many, many children.
Janet is Survived by Eilene and Don Stanek, Leroy and Nancy Harnack, Judie (Darlo) Harnack, Lucy (Bill) Harnack, Helen (Don) Anderson. Janet is preceded in death by parents Roy and Ruth (Delong) Harnack, Dermont Harnack, Donna and Bob Frank, Bill Harnack, Darwin Harnack, and Darlo Harnack.
Ardell Stuart Anderson was born on the family farm on May 31st, 1932 to Harry and Rowena (Knutson) Anderson. He grew up farming along with his four brothers Ted, Don, Dick, and Ron. Ardell was confirmed at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. Ardell played football, basketball, baseball and courted Janet Harnack, whom he married after graduating from Walnut Grove High School in 1950. After two decades of farming, Ardell started an organic grain marketing business called Living Farms. Ardell had a pilot’s license and spent a number of years as a long haul trucker. He enjoyed reading, collecting metal farm toys, aggressively playing cards, gardening and telling his favorite jokes.
Ardell is survived by Helen (Don) Anderson. Ardell is preceded in death by parents Harry and Rowena (Knudson) Anderson, Ted and Laura Anderson, Don Anderson, Dick Anderson, Ron and Carol Anderson, Rachel Anderson and spouse Janet Ruth Harnack Anderson.
Janet and Ardell began life on the farm and raised five children. Moving to town to start the Living Farms Business continued the Anderson household as the gathering place for family events and holidays. Ardell enjoyed conversation, especially about trucks and farming. He would tell stories and laugh infectiously and repeat the story to be sure you got the humor in it. Janet always made sure children were listened to and taken care of. Three bean hotdish, casseroles, and any number of home canned goods from corn to pickles to tomatoes were prepared in abundance.
In later years, they were able to spend time with family visiting Cancun and passed on the holiday food prep to their children Denise (Jim Moline) Anderson, Christine (Bill) Richards, Bradley Anderson, Colette (Lowell) Bottrell, and Leo Anderson. You may have seen Ardell talking politics at the Red Rooster or Janet out in the yard encouraging beautiful flowers and tomatoes and cucumbers to be the best they could be. And the next time you enjoy sour cream raisin pie, Ardell might be watching while Janet smiles and enjoys her pecan pie.
There was always a lap, a card game or a place for a nap as grandchildren visited. The fourteen grandchildren include Jackie (Phil Rock) Kuiper, Blaine Kuiper, Erin (Josh) Altmann, Tobin Richards, Levi Richards, Ryan ( Tori) Anderson, Candice (Shawn) King, Andy (Ashlynn) Anderson, Ashley (Andy) Tarasar, Mandi (Troy) Montplaisir, Joey (Jena) Bottrell, Troy (Jacinta) Bottrell, Leah (Shawn) Gertner, Lindsay (Dan) Kronbach. There are also twenty-one great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren with at least one more on the way. Janet and Ardell are survived by many nieces and nephews. God’s blessing upon one and all.
