Janis F. Swenson

Janis F. Swenson, age 88, of Goodwin, SD, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, at her residence in Goodwin, SD.  She was the widow of Lavern G. Swenson.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Watertown.  Pastor Aaron Asmus will officiate.  Music will be provided by Dawn LaMee as organist. 

Visitation will be at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown on Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Friday. 

Burial will be at Faith Garden of Rest Cemetery in New Effington, SD. Honorary pallbearers will be Janis’s granddaughters:  Tasha Schanbeck, Ashley Swenson, Brittany Swenson, Courtney Swenson, Savanna Young, Samantha Young and Leah Lutheran. Active pallbearers will be Janis’s grandsons:  Allen Schanbeck, Joshua Welder, Patrick Welder, Anthony Lutheran, Travis Schanbeck and Trevor Young.

Janis was born on February 28, 1938, in Sisseton, SD, to Emil and Jeanette (Stowe) Martinek. She was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in New Effington. She attended Hart Township School and graduated from the New Effington High School in 1956. Janis went on to obtain a teaching certificate from Northern State University. She worked in several country school houses prior to her marriage.

On May 21, 1960, Janis married Lavern G. Swenson, in New Effington, SD. The couple moved to the cities before moving to Watertown in 1973. She sold Avon products for several years and then worked at Brown Clinic in the pharmacy until her retirement. Lavern and Janis moved to Goodwin following their retirement. 

Janis was a member at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Goodwin until its closure before joining Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. She a lifelong member of the Axillary VFW Post #750, and she enjoyed bowling, gardening, quilting, and camping. She always had all of the family gatherings at her house. 

Janis is survived by her children, Steven (Sheila) Swenson, of Watertown, Vickie (Russell) Hoverstadt, of Wallace, Cindy (Rick) Lutheran, of Eagle, ID, Connie (Jeff Otto) Swenson, of Watertown; thirteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; one sister, Sandra Martinek, of Sisseton; and four sisters-in-law, Grace Swenson of MN, Phyllis Martinek, of Watertown, Iola Struck of MN, and Rose Waage, of Groton.

Janis was preceded death by her parents, her spouse, Lavern; two brothers, Vernell “Nick” Martinek, and Larry Martinek; one sister, Karen Steen; one sister-in-law, Jean Martinek; and four brothers-in-law, Toby Steen, Allen “Swede” Swenson, Don Struck, and Don Waage.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti 

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