Janet Rogers

Janet Kay Johnson was born on September 10, 1940 to Oscar and Ella (Winjuw) Johnson in Fargo, ND. She started her younger years in Fargo, before moving to Barnesville, MN. Janet graduated from Barnesville High School where she was Head Majorette, active in the debate club, Trojan annual, school play and a cheerleader. During her high school years, she worked at Emery’s Café, and this is where she got her name “Sunshine” from Larry. Janet furthered her education at UND in Grand Forks, ND and then moved to Minneapolis where she continued her education.

Janet and Larry met as friends when her parents moved next door to Larry’s grandparents, fell in love as they grew and years later were married on August 27, 1960 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Barnesville. They started out their married life in Moorhead, then moved to Minneapolis where Larry attended welding school and Janet worked at Green Giant. Larry was drafted into the U.S. Army, so the young bride returned to Barnesville to live with her parents. Larry was stationed in Germany for some time and Janet wanted to move there to live with him but kept getting denied permission. She wouldn’t accept no for an answer, so wrote a letter to Hubert Humphrey and was granted permission to live in Germany with Larry. It was one of her favorite times in their lives, living and traveling abroad. Following this time, they returned to the U.S. and bought a home in St. Louis Park, MN. In 1967, Janet’s father Oscar became ill, Janet and Larry were given the opportunity to return home to Barnesville to take over the family business, and that was the beginning of Johnson-Rogers Implement. Together they ran the business, surviving a fire and rebuilding, until their retirement in 1995. Janet then worked for the telephone company, as well as owned and operated Johnson Enterprises where she sold toy tractors around the world.

Janet’s focus was always her family, and her love shined brightly when she was with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Janet was an involved member of St. James United Church of Christ where she served on various boards and committees. She was also a member of the Literary League and wrote two children’s books in her lifetime. She was instrumental at the Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion when the featured tractor was Allis-Chalmers.

Janet made everyone feel special. She always signed her cards as “Forever friends”. Janet’s famous saying that was passed on from her mom was “It is a great life if you don’t weaken”.

Janet’s legacy lives on through her husband of 64 years, Larry Rogers; two surviving children: Philip (Jill) Rogers of Barnesville, and Gretchen (Kent) Halvorson of St. Michael, MN; cherished grandchildren: Trista (Alex) Ames of Hawley, MN; Kymberly (Sean) McGuire of Sartell, MN, Eric Ackerson of Barnesville, Wendell Rogers of Barnesville, Caleb Rogers of Barnesville, Alexis Halvorson of St. Michael, and Cortney Halvorson of St. Michael; great grandchildren: Marena Rogers, Sawyer Ames, Theo Rogers, Hudson Rogers, Ella McGuire, and Charlie Ames; sister-in-law Linda (James) Koester; nephews: Scott (Heather) Jerald, Kevin Koester, Kory Koester; other relatives, and many friends.

With her family by her side, Janet passed away on Monday, November 4, 2024, at the age of 84 at her home in rural Barnesville, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley just six days after her daughter Heidi Ackerson.

She was also preceded in death by her parents Oscar and Ella, sister Shirley Simpson, brother-in-law Byron Raknerud, and nephew Kent Jerald.

 Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, November 8, 2024, at St. James United Church of Christ in Barnesville, with Rev. John Werner officiating. Burial will follow in Rosemound Cemetery, Barnesville. 

Visitation will be held 1-2 on Friday at St. James United Church of Christ.