Janet Lee Gawrylow

Janet Lee (Brolsma) Gawrylow, age 83, passed away peacefully at the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, MN on January 29, 2025, with loving family by her side.

Janet was born the eldest of 3 daughters to George and Jessie (Epema) Brolsma on September 15, 1941 in Crookston. For much of Janet’s school age years her family farmed near the communities of Erskine and McIntosh. When Janet was a junior in high school, her family moved back to Crookston, where she graduated from Crookston Central High School with the class of 1959.

Following graduation, Janet attended the Bethesda School of Nursing in Crookston and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at Bethesda Hospital for a short time.

On October 26, 1963, Janet married her sweetheart, David Gawrylow, in Crookston. Early in their marriage, Janet and David lived briefly in Southern California. They returned to Crookston, where their daughter Jodi was born on January 15, 1965. David was employed as an over the road truck driver and in construction. Janet was a loving and attentive wife and mother and used her nurses training to care for her mother-in-law for several years. She also briefly worked at Camen Elementary School where her daughter attended school. Janet lovingly cared for her husband Daivd before his passing in 2011.

Janet will be remembered for her gentle demeaner and the kindness she showed to all she encountered.

Left to mourn Janet’s passing are her daughter Jodi of Crookston, sister Carol Sanders of Tulaby Lake, Waubun, MN, sister Cindy Conkins and brother-in-law Greg Conkins of Duluth, MN, sister-in-law Armella Nelson of Grand Forks, ND and nieces and nephews – among them, Scott, Susan and Steve Sanders, and Christopher and Corey Conkins. 

In addition to her husband, David, Janet was preceded in death by her parents George and Jessie; her mother and father-in-law, Jim and Dorothy Gawrylow; brothers-in-law Donald Sanders and Kenneth Gawrylow; and sisters- in-law Ann Gawrylow and Elizabeth Wilson.

Janet’s family would like to thank the staff of the Villa St. Vincent for their compassionate care.

Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. A memorial service for Janet is being planned for this Spring. Condolences can be sent to Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home at 615 S, Minnesota St. PO Box 584 Crookston, MN 56716.