*Janet Diane Jorstad Edwards, age 63, of Blaine, Minn., died suddenly on Dec. 30, 2014, after a brief battle with complications of Influenza A.

Janet was born on April 9, 1951 and grew up in Kenyon, Minn., graduating from high school there in the class of 1969. She then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., where she enrolled in the Navy Nurse program and earned her bachelor of science in nursing degree in 1973. A highlight of her college experience was going on Global Semester, which allowed her to study in and experience many parts of the world. This love of travel continued throughout her life. Following St. Olaf, she began her duty with the United States Navy and served as a nurse until 1975.

During her time in the service, she met and married Frank Edwards. They moved to Minneapolis where Janet continued with her education, attending the University of Minnesota where she received her master’s degree in public health. During this time, she gave birth to the light of her life, her daughter Jennifer. Janet went on to have a full career as a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. She has been honored as the CPNP of the Year, reflecting her boundless dedication to her patients, and was also recognized for her role in the legislative effort to obtain the authority to write prescriptions for nurse practitioners. Janet worked for many years for Group Health and was currently employed by Allina Health at the Coon Rapids Clinic as a triage nurse.

Janet is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Edwards Bailey, and her two beloved grandchildren, Ella, eight, and Colin, five, who were blessed by her special involvement in their lives, taking many trips together, experiencing countless adventures, and listening to all of her stories. She is also survived by her brother, David Jorstad ’77 and his wife Deanna “Dede” Hokanson Jorstad ’78, niece and nephew, Siri Jorstad ’13 and Gunnar; an uncle, Erling Jorstad ’52; and cousins, including Eric Jorstad ’78 and Laura Jorstad ’82.

Janet’s great faith gives comfort as she now is joined with her dad and mom, Oscar Jorstad ’43 and Doris Weeks Jorstad ’41, who preceded her in death. Janet was also preceded in death by an aunt, Elsie Jorstad Willig ’49 and husband Harley Hanson ’50, and an uncle, Curtis Jorstad ’47 and wife Frieda Hise Jorstad ’47. Janet was a wonderful, positive, loving woman who gave so much of herself and her life to her family, friends, patients, and to her Lord. She will be missed by the many whose lives she touched.