09/04/2025
In Loving Memory of Janet Mae Deardorff
Janet was born at home near Sloan, Iowa on January 14, 1931. She went home to Jesus’ arms in Tucson, Arizona on July 25, 2025.
Janet was the youngest of 9 children (9 years after her next closest sibling). Janet’s father, Rev. Nels Wiksell, a Swedish immigrant, passed away in 1941 and her mother, Alice, passed in June of 1952. Janet was the last surviving sibling.
In the fall of 1951, Janet went to Marion College in Indiana where she met, fell in love with, and married Duane Deardorff (August 1, 1953, they were married 72 years!). After Duane graduated they moved to Michigan for work, education, and to start their family. Kevin was born in 1956, Tammy in 1958 and Heather in 1962.
In August of 1962, Duane & Janet moved their young family to Tucson, Arizona. Duane worked for TUSD. Gradually, Janet was able to earn her Bachelors and later a Masters from the University of Arizona. Janet was hired by TUSD to teach Kindergarten in 1971 at Kellond and later taught at Schumaker. She retired after 22 years in May of 1993.
Janet has always been young at heart and thoroughly enjoyed teaching four to six year olds about Jesus. She taught Sunday School at Central Church of the Nazarene where they were members from 1963-1997 and continued teaching at New Life Community Church of the Nazarene when they transferred their membership in 1997. Janet also loved singing to the Lord, and always enjoyed being in the church choir.
Janet enjoyed camping and hiking with her family. She loved her rich Swedish heritage and was an active participant in VASA Lodge 691 serving in several capacities. She loved traveling and was able to visit Sweden five times, as well as other European countries.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew her!
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,
26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.
