Obituaries

On March 13, 2025, Janet Edna French earned her Angel wings and went to Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior.

Janet was born to Victor and Leonora Woodford, nee Stratton, on June 23, 1933, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. She attended 3rd Ward School and Central School. She excelled in tumbling and enjoyed playing the clarinet in the school band. She also loved to ski and go roller skating. Janet was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and was confirmed by Herbert Juneau, and in later years attended Ascension Lutheran Church.

After school, Janet went to Milwaukee and worked at Omar Bakery. When she returned home, she married the love of her life, Gerald French. Through this union she had three children: Gary, Carla, and Susan. Janet was a stay-at-home mother and also helped with the Girl Scouts. When her children were older, she worked at Randalls Bakery and Jopke’s Mink Farm, but she never did get a mink coat.

A caregiver by nature, when her mother needed help due to medical reasons, Janet stepped in. Janet also was known for being the best grandmother and great grandmother. “Gram/Gramma French/Great Gowa” could often be seen reading to the grandkids or telling one of her famous stories. She was a wonderful baker of pies, bread and other goodies. Her specialty was Christmas cookies, and she would make dozens of rosettes, sandbakkels, pecan balls, cutout cookies, and spritz cookies during the holiday season. She enlisted the help of family members during the Christmas baking period, and the grandkids could often be seen with flour and frosting decorating their clothes.

Near the end of her life, she resided with her daughter Susan and was able to live out her days comfortably at home, as she had always wanted.

Janet was most remembered for her silly nature and no-nonsense attitude. She would tell you like it is with no holding back. Her loud and boisterous personality was contagious, and her stories from the past became epic tales that would be remembered in her family forever.

Janet is survived by her children, Gary (Jenny) French, Carla Otto, and Susan French; grandchildren, Ryan (Kari) DeLong, Tara (Scott) Shilha, Marie (Craig) Benzschawel, Michelle French, Talia (Charles) Stran, Melissa (Mark) Hanson, Melanie (Alex) Markham; and great grandchildren, Kaden, Bradyn, Carter, Kieva, Adalinne, Tristan, Wade, Easton, Kolton, and Elias.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lorraine, her husband Gerald French, her son in law Larry Otto, and an infant grandson, Brian Scott.

The family would like to thank the staff at Mayo and Dove West. Thanks also go to Sarah, music therapist for St. Croix Hospice, who came to Janet’s bedside and softy serenaded her and the family by beautifully playing the harp during her final days.

Celebration of life will be held at a later date.