Obituary of Janet Margaret Alan

Alan, Janet Margaret (nee Fredrickson) You are my sunshine. After multiple strokes stole her independence, Janet passed away from natural causes on January 28th, 2018 at the age of 70. A native Minnesotan, she attended Morris Park Grammar School, Nokomis Junior High, Roosevelt High School, and graduated from Hamline University. Jan had a penchant and passion for creative work, from writing and editing, to creating promotional and marketing materials; she dove in deeply wherever she went. From the pep squad at Roosevelt; to Concentus Musicus at the Renaissance Festival in the early Seventies; to designing the new logo for Lakeville, MN; and writing & marketing materials for ROMP, PEN, NWU, and the Loft Literary Center - she poured her heart into whatever she did. With a passion for people and socializing, she held many wide, and varied jobs, from sewing the patches onto astronaut's space suits, tending bar and waiting tables, volunteering at soup kitchens, teaching English as a second language, and designing advertisements for many clients. She also coached soccer for many years in Lakeville, MN where she was instrumental in kicking off the girls’ soccer program. Filled with a zest for life and a deep compassion for all living things, she rescued many animals and people from the difficult times facing them. Her pervasive smile and sunny disposition could pull anyone through a storm, while she personally lived her own credo, "Champions Adjust". Jan was preceded in death by her parents Oscar Johan and Maja-Lisa Sonja Fredrickson (nee Wik), all of her treasured aunts and uncles in Sweden, as well as her cousin Leif Furängen; her first husband, and father to her sons, Jeffrey George Conniff; and her dearest cousin Sandy Carlson. She would remind us that she'll be meeting her dogs Bandit and Abbie again at the Rainbow Bridge. She is survived by her children Joseph Edward (Linda) and John Eric Conniff; her many beloved cousins, and their children, in Sweden; her Costa Rican son Alvaro Jiron, and his family; and her former, second husband Joseph Allen Shidla, whom cared for her for many years until her passing. A celebration of Jan’s life will be held at the Cremation Society of MN – Edina, at 3 pm on March 10th 2018, 7110 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435. Visitation begins at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to any animal rescue or a charity of your choice. Mom, you have come to your Journey's End and we will miss you dearly. Be at peace.