Janet J. (Krause) Kostner

Janet J. (Krause) Kostner, age 74, of Mukwonago, WI, (formally of Inver Grove Heights, MN) went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 31, 2020 after losing a longtime battle with breast cancer. 

She was born on April 1, 1946 to Arnold and Frances (Krueger) Krause in Watertown, WI.  She was a 1964 graduate of Watertown High School where she was active in chorus, band, the National Honor Society, and a member of Youth for Christ.  After graduation, she served in God’s Volunteers for one year before attending Sioux Falls College where she excelled in academics and was a principal soloist in Concert Choir.  She graduated in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education.

Jan influenced countless lives through her time working in elementary education and leading a variety of children’s ministries through her church.  Singing in choir and worshiping through music were two of her greatest passions.  Jan loved the outdoors and was an avid camper, spending over forty years camping at her beloved Firefly Lake, near Sayner, WI.  Her love for children only grew greater when she became an amazing grandma to her five “grands”.  Jan had a unique way of making people feel special and showed selfless love, kindness, and encouragement to others no matter what life would bring.  She modeled Christ’s love for her, and she made a lasting impression on the lives she touched.

Jan is survived by: her loving husband of 45 years, Bill Kostner; her daughters Julie (Tom) VanDixhorn of Libertyville, IL and Katie (Andy) Sieberer of Elkhorn; grandchildren Jake, Bailey, Abby, Drew and Camryn; brother Al (Jan) Krause of Watertown; and niece Jackie Krause Johnson.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents, nephew David Krause and granddaughter Addy May Sieberer.

Memorials in Jan’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, American Cancer Society or the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, and can be sent through the family.

A celebration of Jan’s life will be held at 12:00PM on Saturday, June 13, 2020 at First Baptist Church of Watertown with Rev. Shane Walker presiding.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 10:00AM until the time of service at the church.  The celebration of Jan will continue in the Twin Cites at a later date.

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