Janet Foy

Janet Lydia Foy, age 80 of Holland, passed away on Tuesday March 13 with family by her side. Janet was born on August 7, 1937 in Elkton, MI. She was the daughter of Otto and Emma Fluegge. She was raised on the farm and spoke often about growing up on the farm with her 4 siblings. She was proceeded in death by her sisters Loraine Beadle and Crystal Teems. Her brothers Bob Fluegge and Otto Fluegge currently live in Pigeon and Elkton, MI respectively. Janet attended Pigeon High School in Pigeon, MI. While in high school she met her future husband Russ who attended nearby Cass City High. After high school, they married in 1956 at St. John's Lutheran, Berne, MI. They held their wedding reception in the church basement and honeymooned at Mackinaw City. They often showed pictures of the Mackinac Bridge under construction during their visit. After marriage they moved to Lansing, MI for Russ to attend Michigan State University. Janet worked at Sparrow Hospital. While there she earned her PHT degree (Putting Hubby Through). In 1958 while still at MSU, they started their family with the birth of Beth Ann. Their time at Michigan State led to a lifelong love for the Spartans. She often wore her MSU sweaters. They were football season ticket holders for many years. In 1960, Russ and Janet moved to Anniston, AL for Russ to fulfil his active duty obligation in the US Army. While there, Janet gave birth to Jody Lynn in 1960. They left shortly after as Russ returned to his job at The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, MI. Midland, MI, their home of 35 years, is where they had 3 additional children and raised their family. Gregory Scott was born in 1962, Leslie Jean in 1965 and Peter Matthew in 1972. They were active members of St. John's Lutheran in Midland. Janet served on many committees and was active in the day school. Janet was fully committed to raising her children in the Christian faith and she was very proud later in life that all her kids and their families are still strong Christians and active in their churches. After Russ retired in 1993, they decided to move to Gaylord Michigan to their lake property they had vacationed on since 1975. Janet was hesitant to move, but agreed to a 5 year trial period. They lasted 22 years in Gaylord where Janet loved every minute. After they moved to Gaylord, Janet started working downtown at a store where she met very good friends. She was very active in her new church, Trinity Lutheran in Gaylord. She sang in the choir and was very involved in the church. Janet and Russ started wintering in Chandler AZ in 1995. They rented for several years until they bought at second home there in 2000. Their kids were regular visitors to Arizona and Janet enjoyed having lots of company. She made all visitors feel so welcome. These regular visits made Janet more comfortable with living so far from her family. In about the year 2013, Janet started having symptoms that the doctors thought were a series of strokes. Slowly getting worse, in 2015 Janet and Russ were forced to leave their beloved home on the lake to move closer to family in Holland. Janet was very excited the day they signed a lease on their first room at Warm Friend. They joined Zion Lutheran in Holland and attended bible classes and were regulars at church. While in Holland, Janet enjoyed seeing her grandchildren more frequently and especially going to their sporting events. Janet enjoyed working on her crafts and sewing. She would always discover new ideas and "figure out" how to make things. Russ would support her on this endeavor when it involved cutting wood. Janet loved playing sports. She played volleyball, soccer and softball while she lived in Midland. What she really loved was tennis. She took this passion with her to Arizona where she played in many leagues. She would play the occasional golf match to please Russ, but her passion was tennis. She shared this passion with her grandkids often playing on their visits to Arizona. Janet also enjoyed her many travels to far-away lands with Russ, friends and sometimes their children. She enjoyed meeting new people on these trips and would often collect rocks from the lands she visited. Janet loved the Lord with all her heart. She showed this love how she treated others including strangers. She could strike up a conversation with anyone, anytime. She was genuine in her love toward others. Her family was treated like royalty when they came home to visit. She would spend the days in the kitchen to make sure they were all well fed and happy. Janet is survived by her husband of 61 years, Russ, and children Beth Manack of Kawkawlin, MI, Jody and Jim Tuls of Mattawan, MI, Greg and Karrie Foy of Caseville, MI, Leslie and Rob Thomas of Bay Village, OH and Peter and Lisa Foy of Holland, MI, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. One additional great-grandchild is expected in June 2018. She will be deeply missed by her entire family. A funeral service will be at noon on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church, 77 West 32nd St. Holland, MI 49423. There will be a time of visitation from 10:30-12:00 am prior to the funeral. Memorial contributions may be given to ALS Association, Zion Lutheran Church, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1354 S Otsego Ave, Gaylord, MI 49735, or Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 23914 S Alma School Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248. The family is being served by the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home. www.langelandsterenberg.com

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Janet Foy

August 7, 1937 - March 13, 2018