Janet Rose Reko

Janet Rose Reko was born October 28, 1942 in Blue Earth, Minnesota. She was the first child born to Herbert & Helen (Scearcy) Reko. 

Jan grew up attending Immanuel Evangelical United Brethren Church located 4 miles East of Blue Earth. She was baptized & confirmed there. It later became Immanuel United Methodist Church in 1968. 

She attended school at Blue Earth and graduated in 1961. After graduation she lived in Minneapolis working at Opportunity Workshop. She moved home in the mid 1960s.

After Grandpa Reko’s death in January 1972 Jan moved in with Grandma Reko to help out. After Hattie’s death in 1975, Jan lived with Mrs Elizabeth Peterson, Hattie’s next-door neighbor and long-time friend. Over the next several years Jan served as companion to several local senior citizens, helping with light housekeeping & errands. 

Jan was an avid reader, a good speller and loved crossword puzzles and word searches. She did latchhook with yarn for many years and took ceramics classes too.  She lived at Crescent Apartments in town before moving home with Mom. In 2015, after Mom moved to St Luke’s, Jan became a resident of Elm Homes. She loved living there. Jan was a very friendly and outgoing conversationalist, often recounting stories of growing up on the farm. She had a kind and generous heart and loved to laugh. In mid July 2024, Jan had an acute health issue and was taken to UHD where she died 2 days later on July 18.

Jan is survived by sisters; Maggie Johnson, Maggie’s son Jay Johnson (Jen) and Caleb, Ethan and Aidan Johnson of Blue Earth. She is also survived by sister Nancy Steinke and Nancy's children and grandchildren: Katie Steig (Jayme), Sam and Maddie Steig of Casselton, ND, Petra Steinke and Kurt Steinke of Blue Earth, as well as many cousins.  

Jan was an active member of Hope UMC. She belonged to UMW and Faith Circle, regularly attended Sunday worship, and also participated in several Bible studies. She loved Hope and her church family. 

Family requests that memorials can be sent to Hope United Methodist Church  in Blue Earth, Minnesota. 

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Jan at Hope UMC on Friday, October 4, at 2:00 pm followed by refreshments.