Janet Marie (Stahmann) Wieczorek, age 91, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025, her final days a reflection of the way she chose to live her full, love-filled life— surrounded and delighted by a steady stream of visitors who knew and loved her.
Janet was born on May 16, 1934 to Dwight Stahmann and Mabel (Hoppe) Stahmann in Winona, Minnesota, where she lived her entire life. She was the middle child of five and grew up playing games with neighborhood kids, babysitting, working at Kresge’s Dime Store, and pitching for her championship-winning girls softball team.
A favorite childhood memory she shared often was when the cute neighbor boy Robert Wieczorek would roll up on his bike, and she’d hop on his handle bars and ride to the creek where they’d swim together. Robert became the first, true and only love of her life. They grew up together and remained inseparable. On May 23, 1953, they married. Their 72-year marriage was filled with love, and a dedication to sharing life’s joys, sorrows, and changes with a devotion that never wavered.
Janet was an includer. Her life passion was gathering and connecting with people from likely and unlikely places. She had a way of making every person feel seen and special. She never let a day pass without checking in on the people in her world. The Wieczorek home was always a gathering place. She and Robert hosted endless events, from weekend cocktail socials to weeknight card games, to open-house parties for all seasons. In times of both celebration and hardship, friends, family, and neighbors knew they could show up as they were and be welcomed with open doors and open hearts.
Her love of people was matched by her ability to bring them together, booking multi-family summer camping trips, and winter hotel getaways that became so large the hotel owners memorized how to spell Wieczorek on their outdoor billboards.
Janet had a 26-year career at Miller Felpax, and later ran the KOA campground with Robert and family, where her activity planning skills created fond memories for countless campers.
Janet’s genuine kindness toward everyone she spent time with was a powerful magnet that drew many back to her over the years, and in her last days. Visitors of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life showed up for her end of life, just as she had shown up for them. She lit up as they shared memories, laughter, tears, and hugs— gathering people right up until the end.
Janet deeply loved and was proud of her surviving family: daughters Lynn Rose, and Lori (Scott) Palbicki, and son Thomas (Julie) Wieczorek; Grandchildren: Mollee (Brian
Voerding) Sheehan, Sarah (Mark) Miranda, Chris (Kati Buckner) Wieczorek, Kayla Wieczorek, Ian Wieczorek, Hunter (Erika) Wieczorek, Isaiah Wieczorek, and Silas Wieczorek; Great grandchildren: Mason Smith, Miles Larson, Eve Smith, Elle Smith, Rex Miranda, Oliver Wieczorek, and Emory Wieczorek; and extended family and friends.
She loved and was shaped by those who preceded her in death: parents Dwight and Mabel Stahmann; loving husband and lifelong best friend Robert; youngest daughter, Lisa, who died tragically in a skiing accident in 1979; sisters, Shirley Rooney, Geraldine McLaughlin, and Sharon Durham; brother, Richard Stahmann; infant brother, Eugene; and infant granddaughter, Grace.
Visitation will be held at 12pm on Saturday, December 13, at Hoff Celebration of Life in Goodview, MN, with a memorial service at 1pm, followed by lunch.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Winona Senior Friendship Center, an important second home and gathering place for Jan and Bob for many years.
The family would like to thank Sugar Loaf Senior Living staff and residents who became family to her, Winona Hospice, and all of the caretakers Janet formed special bonds with over her final years for their support and compassion for Janet, Bob, and their family.
Beloved Janet, our hearts and our lives are better for your being here. The love you gave so openly remains your lasting legacy. You will be dearly missed and forever loved. And without a doubt, you will always be our sunshine.
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