Janet "Jan" Elaine Nelson, age 89, of Glenwood, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at Glenwood Retirement Village under the care of hospice following a lengthy illness. A memorial service celebrating Janet and her late husband David will be held on Saturday, August 22, at 2:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton with Pastor James Rach officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Clinton Cemetery in Clinton, Minnesota. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Janet "Jan" Elaine Hegge was born on April 12, 1937, on her maternal grandparents' farm in Foster Township, Big Stone County, Minnesota, to Gordon and Marjorie (Eastman) Hegge. The oldest of ten children, she attended District #3 country school before enrolling at Ortonville Public School, graduating in 1955. She then attended Moorhead Teachers College, beginning her teaching career in Henning before teaching in Barnesville and later in Breckenridge, where she retired in 1998. She was a beloved educator whose kindness and gift for connecting with children left a lasting impact on generations of students.

Growing up near Ortonville, Jan developed the strong faith and caring spirit that defined her life. She loved telling the story of meeting David while out with her friend Ellie. After spotting him, she declared, "I'm gonna get that one." She did, and the two were married on December 27, 1958, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton while Dave was home on leave from the U.S. Army. After completing their degrees at Moorhead State Teachers College, they settled in Breckenridge in 1966, where they built a life centered on faith, family, and service. Both taught in the Breckenridge School District, and Dave also operated a television repair shop from their home.

From 1975 to 2004, Jan and Dave opened their hearts and home to more than 120 foster children, lovingly calling them their "bonus children." They provided not only love and stability but also opportunities to experience camping, water skiing, traveling, and the joy of belonging to a family. Their hospitality extended around the world as they hosted exchange students from South Africa, Argentina, and Israel and welcomed families from El Salvador, Kenya, and the Philippines, forming lifelong friendships.

Faith remained at the center of Jan's life. She served through Sunday School, her church, and on the Clinton Care Center Board, quietly sharing God's love through countless acts of kindness.

Jan found joy in time with family and friends, days at the cabin on Big Stone Lake, traveling, reading, sewing, quilting, and wintering with Dave in Yuma, Arizona. In 2020, they moved to Glenwood. They shared 65 years of marriage before Dave's death in 2024. Jan remained at Parkview Court until January 2026 before moving to Glenwood Retirement Village, where she passed away peacefully.

Throughout her life, Jan faced challenges with remarkable courage, surviving breast cancer and enduring years of dialysis with unwavering faith and perseverance.

Jan is survived by her son, Daniel (Gladys) Nelson of Rosemount, Minnesota; daughter, Lucy (Mike Griffin) Brown of Wahpeton, North Dakota; grandchildren Amanda Nelson, Rick Lopez, Bill (Kris) Brown, Mike (Katelyn) Brown, and Ken Brown; great-grandchildren Eli, Owen, Sam, Luke, Christian, Kendrick, Zylah, Christopher, Reinnah, and Jani; son-in-law Mauricio (Bertie) Lopez; special people who became family, Pam Welsch, Greg Roob, and Dean Dahl; siblings Betty Jean Herberg, Marcia Herberg, Cheryl (Theodore) Stallman, Jerome (Carol) Hegge, Timothy (Victoria) Hegge, Douglas Hegge, and Michael (Anne) Hegge; brother-in-law Harold (Aggie) Nelson; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David; her daughter, Lori Lopez, in 2012; her sister, Bonnie Mowris; and her brother, John Hegge.

Jan's life was a testament to compassion, faith, generosity, and unconditional love. Her door was rarely locked because she believed there was always room for one more person at her table and in her heart. She lived the words of Matthew 25:23: "Well done, good and faithful servant." Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on through her family and the countless students, foster children, friends, and lives she touched.