Janet Kay Severson, 68, of Mankato, Minnesota, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, at Willow Brook Senior Cooperative.

Janet was born on Sept. 29, 1949, to Earl and Harriet (Knutson) Weness in Austin, Minnesota. She was a graduate of Adams High School in Adams, Minnesota, and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. She was united in marriage to Jeffrey Severson on May 27, 1972.

Janet was a teacher in Evansville, Minnesota, Kasson-Mantorville, in Kasson, Minnesota, and Red Wing, Minnesota, from 1971 until 1974. In 1989, she became a meeting planner for Matrix Meetings. Janet retired in 2011. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato and a longtime past member of Hosanna Lutheran Church in Rochester. Janet was a volunteer with Stephen Ministry in Rochester, Minnesota. She enjoyed volunteering, traveling, boating, camping, sewing and knitting, cooking, music, and especially spending time with family and friends.

Janet is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Severson of Mankato; two sons, Jared (Naty) Severson of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, and Jesse (Monique) Severson of Mankato; five grandchildren, Aaron, Zach, Hannah, Landen, and Taryn;  two brothers, Erlin (Jean) Weness of Worthington, Minnesota, and Roger (Jan) Weness of Adams; also nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Janet’s life will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Mankato Mortuary handled the arrangements. Memorials may be given to Cure PSP (www.psp.org) or Grace Lutheran Church.