Janet Marie (Chaussee) Fusselman

September 7, 1941 - June 16, 2023

Janet Marie Fusselman, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home in Friant, CA, on June 16, 2023, at the age of 81.

Janet was born September 7, 1941 in Jackson, MN, to Alice and Dellas Chaussee. Janet was the first of three children, and attended Jackson County Central High School, where she was lead baton twirler for the marching band.

After high school she moved to Minneapolis, MN, where she worked as a nanny, and then returned to Jackson, where she worked as a secretary.

Janet then moved to Sioux Falls, SD, attending business school and working for Catholic Charities. It was there that she met James Keith Fusselman, whom she married in 1964. Janet then worked as a secretary to the Dean of Medical School at the University of South Dakota, and during this time their son Eric was born.

In 1971 Janet and James moved to California, eventually landing in Fresno, and their daughter Sara was born shortly thereafter.

Janet volunteered at the Fresno Montessori school while her children attended, and in 1978 she began working in the school’s office. She worked there for 45 years, spending most of those years as the school’s Business Director, until she passed away.

She had a passion for the education of children, and was highly dedicated to the Fresno Montessori school, where she was loved by staff and children alike.

Janet and Jim traveled extensively, making many trips around the world, and always had exciting stories to tell to their friends and family. She volunteered for many years with Soroptimist International, acting as liaison to local high schools.

Janet adored Alex and Ethan, her two grandchildren.

She was renowned for her kindness, and for her caring and compassionate nature toward everyone she met, always willing to go to great lengths to help those in need, even at a moment’s notice.

Janet is survived by James, her best friend and husband of 59 years; her brother Paul and her sister Renee; her son Eric and her daughter Sara; her daughter-in-law Maria Rosa and her son-in-law Joshua; and her grandchildren, Alex and Ethan.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28th, with a reception to follow. The Mass and reception will be held at St. Paul Newman Center Catholic Church, 1572 E Barstow, Fresno, CA 93710.

The family would like to express its gratitude to Dr. Baljeet Sidhu and to Dr. Omid Saeed Tehrani, as well as to all the medical professionals who helped Janet in her final months, including those at Clovis Community Medical Center, Stanford Cancer Center, and Hinds Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society (donate.cancer.org).