Janet "Jan" Loy Brustad

Janet was born on May 9th, 1940, in Bagley, MN to Juanita "Jay" and Milo Anderson. At the age of three, Joseph L. Berg became her lifelong father. She graduated from Bagley High School in 1958. She is preceded in death by her parents, Jay and Joe Berg, her husband Richard and her brother Tom Berg. Jan married her high school sweetheart Richard Brustad in 1958, and they went on to have four children, Timothy (Teri), Thomas, Elizabeth and James (Lori); eight grandchildren, Kathleen and Nicole (Tim and Teri), Joseph, Rachel and Christopher (Tom) and, Jessica, Elliott and Mitchell (James and Lori); and two great-grandchildren, Eleanor and Etta (Kathleen). Survived also by brother Joe Berg (Cindy). Jan began her working career in 1958, working for the Clearwater County Welfare Agency; working later for the Hennepin County Welfare Agency and then working in the 1960’s for Encyclopedia Britannica. Re-entering the workforce once her children were grown, Jan’s work career included working at the Association of Minnesota Counties, the MnDACA/McKnight Project, Dakota, Inc., the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners, the Metropolitan Inter-County Association, Community Action for Suburban Hennepin, Inc. and, the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Grandchildren became a major focus for Jan and Dick in later years and she was committed to having them attend and create their own plays. From the Lion King to the Phantom the children grew up laughing and enjoying their grandma. Jan and Dick also created the annual summer cross-country trips with all of their grandchildren. These wonderful trips covered the country from coast-to-coast. With her focus on every cemetery, interest in genealogy and Jan and Dick’s passion for history they exposed the grandkids to many unique historical and cultural sites. They provided memories and bonds that exist in all the cousins to this day. The history of Janet’s life cannot be understood without knowing about the marriage and love that existed between her and Dick. They were true soul mates and existed for each other. It is comforting to know that they are together again. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Catholic Eldercare and Fairview Hospice for their support and care. A service to celebrate Janet’s life will be held on Saturday, December 30th, 2017, at the St. Anthony of Padua Chapel at Catholic Eldercare, 813 NE Main Street, Minneapolis. There will be visitation at 11:00 a.m. followed by the service at 12:00 p.m., followed by sandwiches and refreshments. Burial will take place later in the year at Bagley, Minnesota.