Janet Van Bruggen

Janet Van Bruggen, 92, of Jamestown, ND, passed away Saturday morning, August 10, 2024 at SMP Health – Ave Maria, Jamestown.

Janet Matilda Bartell was born July 7, 1932, to Reinhold and Amy (Whitfield) Bartell, near Silverleaf, ND.  She moved with her family to Merricourt and Forman, ND where she completed the first four years of school in Bowen #4, Sargent County.  In 1942 they moved to Gwinner, ND where she completed high School.  She graduated from Jamestown College with a BS degree.  Janet taught school in Carrington, ND and Walnut Grove, MN.

On July 12, 1957 she married Gerald Alvin Van Bruggen in Litchville, ND.  They farmed with his parents north of Marion, ND until 1985 when his parents moved to Litchville.  They continued farming with their sons after that.  Janet was a Township Assessor over 15 years.  She taught Sunday school at North Marion Reformed Church, held offices in RCW, was Sunday School treasurer and Church Librarian.

In 1994 they moved to Jamestown but continued helping on the farm when needed.  They joined The First Church of the Nazarene.  She belonged to the Montpelier OK Club, and was an officer of the Knitpickers.  She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, tatting and other crafts even while traveling on bus tours around the USA.  Janet had a passion for genealogy and spent many hours updating her family trees.  Gerald passed away April 2, 2021.

Children included twins, Warren (Cheri) of Marion and Wanda (Keith) Kirsch of Valley City, ND; Merlin (Dianna) of Sanborn, Rodney (Sharon) of Fargo, Jeanine (John) Kemp of Burlington, IA, Brian J (Margaret) of Seguin, TX; close friend, Rachel Link of Jamestown; grandchildren: Shawn (Tiahna) Kirsch, Heidi (Jesse) Braunagel, Ben Kirsch, Cy (Alison) Kirsch, Joy Kemp, Jeremy Kemp, Isaac, Luke, and Philip Van Bruggen, Brian A and Lonnette Van Bruggen, Janessa (Christopher) Kennedy, Clarissa (Hayden) Zander, Rochelle (Ken) Jimenez, Skyler, and Cara Van Bruggen, Alan Van Bruggen; great-grandchildren: Madison Eileen Kirsch, Josiah Wade Kirsch, Aria Cait Kirsch, Michelle Anne Kennedy, Jacob Donald Kennedy, Cecilia Gertrude Kennedy, and Lillianna Renee Fern Van Bruggen; sister-in-law, Arlene Vahl of Edgerton, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gerald; sister, Alice Bartell; brother, Henry (Vera) Bartell; sister, Leona (Lloyd) Adermann; sister, Elsie (Larry) Cone; and brother, George (Barbara) Bartell; sister-in-law, Darlene (Harvey) Kluvers; and brother-in-law, Harold Vahl.

Funeral Service – 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2024 at First Church of the Nazarene, Jamestown, with Pastor Greg Allen officiating.

Visitation – 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 15 at the Eddy Funeral Home and one hour before the service at the church.

Prayer Service - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 15 at the Eddy Funeral Home.

Burial- North Marion Reformed Cemetery, rural Marion, ND.