Janet Saeugling

Janet Louise (Gisslen) Saeugling, 67, of Alexandria, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017, at Ecumen Bethany Community after a courageous battle with cancer. Her husband, dog, and two close friends were by her side.

Jan was born on March 19, 1949, the daughter of Lloyd and Verona (Scharpen) Gisslen. She graduated from Red Wing High School and then attended Mankato State College, as it was then known, where she earned a B.A. in geography and history.

Jan began her teaching career at Central Junior High School in Alexandria in 1972 and continued teaching at Discovery Middle School. She loved teaching eighth grade students and seeing their progress and growth. In her 34 years of teaching, one of her greatest joys was organizing the eighth grade environmental field trips, giving students the opportunity to learn about nature and the environment outside of the classroom.

When she wasn't teaching, Jan loved being home with her pets and feeding birds and wildlife in her yard. Her love of all living things began with walks with her dad along the bluffs of the Mississippi River and spending many hours fishing with her father, an activity she enjoyed throughout her life. She loved nature in all its myriad and miraculous forms –whether traveling abroad, spending time at their cabin in Wyoming, or fishing Sioux Lookout, Ontario.

In addition, Jan freely loved her family and friends who will miss her deeply. She had a gift for connecting with and listening to all around her, human or animal.

Jan is survived by her husband of 43 years, Lee, their beloved golden retriever Murray, and her brother Wayne Gisslen and wife Meg of Minneapolis. She is also survived by aunts Rosella Gisslen of Zumbrota and Esther McFarland of Reno, Nevada; sister-in-law Sherry Fagin and husband Bobbie Lester of Minneapolis; brother-in-law Tom Saeugling of Iowa City; nephews Jason Fagin, Seth Saeugling, and Joe Britton of Minneapolis; great-nephew Jason Fagin, and great-niece A'Mara Fagin.

She was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law (Dean and Mildred Saeugling) and multiple four-legged children, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the family.

A service to celebrate Jan's life will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Alexandria. Visitation will take place on Friday, March 24, 2017, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Anderson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the memorial service. Later this spring, a private interment will occur at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Red Wing.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home.