Janice Rae Anderson

Janice “Jan” Rae Anderson, age 84, of Baltic, SD, formerly of Pipestone, MN, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Bethany Home in Brandon. A celebration of Jan’s life will begin at 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at West Nidaros Lutheran Church, rural Crooks. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Tuesday, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Shetek Lutheran Ministries or the West Nidaros WELCA.

Jan was born on April 1, 1941, to Richard and Emily (Belshan) Cech in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She grew up on a farm near Glenville. She helped on the family farm and was active in 4-H. After graduating from Glenville High School she worked for the Austin Bell Telephone company as a telephone operator. On June 4, 1960, she married Paul Thomas Anderson in Austin. They later moved to Hills, Minnesota, where Jan was devoted to raising her family and was very active at Bethlehem Lutheran church with the women’s group and teaching Sunday school. She was a 4-H leader, teaching members to bake bread, sew, and so much more. She received the Rock County 4-H Meritorious Service award in 1977.

They then purchased their own farm in 1978 between Pipestone and Holland and lived there until retirement. Jan was very involved on the farm. Paul & Jan took many courses at the area technical college to improve their farming operation, Swine production, Lamb & Wool classes, and computer courses. They received awards, the Minnesota Lamb & Wool Produces Association Silver Bell Award & the Minnesota State FFA Degree. They loved hosting tours on their farm so others could see their operation. During this time Jan was also an involved member of First Lutheran Church in Pipestone, and the SW Minnesota WELCA Synod holding many officers jobs over the years. She remained active in 4-H receiving the Pipestone County Merit Award in 1994. Jan was involved on the Shetek Lutheran Ministry Board and was one of the founding members of SLM’s annual Quilt Auction. She worked at Good Samaritan in Pipestone in dietary, activities and later as a CNA. Jan always brought a smile to the residents. In 2007 she received the Good Samaritan Augusta award.

Paul and Jan loved attending their grandchildren’s sporting events, choir & band concerts and livestock shows. Always cheering them on!

Paul and Jan moved to Baltic in 2011 to be closer to family. Jan was an active member of West Nidaros Lutheran Church and the West Nidaros WELCA, Minnehaha County Master Gardeners, and she volunteered at the Avera Prairie Center, Baltic Food Bank and the Baltic Community Gardens.

She greatly enjoyed baking, gardening, sewing, and spending time with her family.

Making birthdays and holidays very special. She said “A loving family is a treasure from God.”

They moved to Bethany Home in Brandon, SD, in the summer of 2024, where she enjoyed activities and making friends. Paul passed away on January 1, 2025.

Survivors include her children: Jacqueline (Paul) Turner, Bingham Lake, MN, Dana (Todd) Sundal, Baltic, SD, Matthew (Deb) Anderson, Darlington, WI, Heidi (Dennis) Steineke, Hartford, SD, and Mark (Tammy) Anderson, Ft. Pierre, SD; grandchildren: Emily (Cody) Winker, Windom, MN, John (Bailey) Turner, Bingham Lake, MN, Elizabeth (Cameron) Paul, Mitchell, SD, Hannah (Evan) Brown, Baltic, SD, Will (Kelsey) Steineke, Sioux Falls, SD, Rose (Steven) Bates, Raeford, NC, Allison (Reed Tonak) Sundal, Volga, SD, Grace Steineke, Madison, SD, and Seth Sundal, Baltic, SD; six great grandchildren; brother, David (Rae) Cech. Glenville, MN; sisters: Karen McGill, Albert Lea, MN, and Pat McMichael, Jacksonville, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Emily Cech, husband, Paul Thomas Anderson; grandson, Lucas Sundal, and an infant brother.

Minnehaha Funeral Home, Baltic handled the arrangements.