Janet L. (Sydnes) Thompson died peacefully on September 11, 2023, and entered into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with her loving family surrounding her.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 1517 Northwestern Ave., Ames, Iowa. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, September 18, 2023 at the church. Burial will be in the Ames Municipal Cemetery. The Funeral Service will be livestreamed and a link will be available under the Events Section of Janet's obituary on the Adams Funeral Home website.
Janet was born on September 1, 1934, in rural Story County, Iowa to Tilmer and Carrie (Wee) Sydnes. She was the fourth of seven children. She was baptized and confirmed at Palestine Lutheran Church in Huxley, Iowa. She graduated from Huxley High School in 1952. She began working as a secretary at Morrill Hall on the Iowa State College campus for a year and then worked four years at Doane Agricultural Services. Her greatest joy was being a stay -at -home mom.
Janet married the love of her life, Gary Thompson, on August 14, 1955. They first met during the summer of 1951 at the Skateland roller rink in Ames, Iowa. She went home that night and told her mom “I’m going to marry that guy.”
At an early age Janet placed her faith and belief in Jesus Christ. She was always grateful to her parents and grandparents for her Christian upbringing. She was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church for the last 55 years. During which she co-chaired the Scandinavian Coffee, leading several of the workshops making lefse, kringla and spritz cookies. She always made extra kringla at home for the Scandinavian Coffee. She headed up the church Clothing Room and was a member of the Women’s Circle Bible study. She was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter LN, Theta Chi and the MGMC Auxillary. She loved bowling and great fun was had with the AG&CC women’s bowling league. She played in multiple bridge groups, enjoyed going out to lunch with friends, shopping with her daughter, listening to all kinds of music, family vacations, decorating for the holidays, cheering and supporting her grandchildren at their activities, having tea parties for her granddaughters when they were young and rooting for the Iowa State Cyclones. She loved reading books but she really loved reading magazines which could always be found in stacks next to her favorite chair. And always nearby was her green covered The Living Bible, where she underlined and made notes next to her favorite scripture verses. Evident of what was on her mind and in her heart.
Janet was a friend to many. She was gracious and elegant and had a kind, caring and servant heart. She saw the best in everyone and loved them unconditionally. Her husband, children and grandchildren brought her the most joy. Her faith in Jesus Christ and the love for her family were the most important things to her.
Left to cherish Janet’s memory is her husband, Gary of 68 years; children: Kim (Tom) Wierson, Rick (Renee) Thompson and Scott (Mary) Thompson; seven grandchildren: Matthew Wierson, Chelsea (Aaron) Trowbridge, Tyler Wierson, Rachel Thompson, Erica Thompson, Brandon (Bianca) Thompson and Emily (Austin) Edwards; two great-granddaughters, Ava and Noa Trowbridge; sister, Sandra (Garry) Wirtz; brother-in-law, DeLon Thompson; and sister-in-law Jackie Christenson; and many nieces and nephews who were all very special to her.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents; mother and father-in-law, Abbie and Maurice Thompson; sister, Darlene Sydnes; brothers, Paul and Carroll (Barb DeJong) Sydnes; sister, Helen Kochheiser and brother-in-law Kenny Kochheiser; and sister Linda Lantz and brother-in-law Nero Lantz.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Adams Funeral Home and online condolences may be left for Jan’s family at www.adamssoderstrum.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Bethesda Lutheran Church of Ames and the Alzheimer’s Association. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful care given to Janet by Green Hills Retirement Community, MGMC Hospice and McFarland Clinic, especially Dr. Brenda Burrough. And thank you to our family and friends for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.
Posted online on September 14, 2023
Published in Des Moines Register
