Janet Faye (Erickson) Garfield

Janet Faye (Erickson) Garfield 04/08/1948-03/22/2024 Janet passed away in Shawnee, KS in the early hours of Friday morning surrounded by her children and grandchildren, after a brief battle with cancer. She grew up in Pine River, MN. She lived a life full of spunk and adventure and always seemed to have a fire for a life somewhere else, but Minnesota was always her home. She was called a Gypsy by her family, but always felt looked upon as the Black Sheep. Her adventures started young, moving to the Twin Cities and then traveling to Wolf Point, MT where she would meet her husband Chuck Garfield. They moved to Missoula, MT and later returned to Wolf Point and gave life to two beautiful children, Tawnya and Dean. She missed home so they returned to Minneapolis, MN and had another, Tachia. They were back and forth several times then landed back in Wolf Point and having her two final boys, Chad and Beau. She would then divorce and never remarry. She lived her young life for her children, taking them with her on many of her escapades, moving often, and searching for a fulfilling life, which always seemed to be somewhere else. She was loving and supportive. A young, single mother of five children. She was often told how well behaved her children were, which is an amazing feat to accomplish on her own, yet very well deserved. She was a gifted mother, raising us on her own and bringing color into our otherwise drab lives. We had many struggles growing up but she gave us adventures most could not imagine, which formed an unbreakable family bond. She taught us right from wrong, manners and respect. She instilled in us all: I am better than no-one, but no-one is better than me. Janet’s many vocations reflected her continuous search for fulfillment outside of the home. She worked as a Waitress, Avon Salesperson, Tree Planter, Turkey Plucker, CNA, and Cab Driver to name a few. She pursued higher education in many studies, including Art, Computer Aided Drafting, Auto Mechanics, and graduated on the Dean’s List for Travel Planning. When Janet was over 50 years old she traveled alone, in a beat up Ford Festiva, all the way from Minnesota to Alaska. There was a job she had lined up at a resort for the summer. When she got there, the resort had been shut down. She traveled down the road to a cafe, and before she could finish her meal, she had been hired as a waitress. She was the most outgoing, friendly, and social person one could know. She could easily get someones number standing in line at the checkout, waiting for a seat at a restaurant, or many phone numbers and addresses when riding a Greyhound Bus. Strangers would walk away as friends with a hug and a smile. If you were one of the innumerable that were fortunate to have met her, you know…..you loved her instantly. Even though she had very little, she trusted easily and gave wholeheartedly. She had many misadventures too. Trodding down the many beaten paths she traveled, she had big struggles but never let them get her down for long. Her constant faith in God always guided her way, seeming to walk with Angels on both shoulders. Although she never stayed in one place too long, she finally settled down and made Olathe, KS, her home for the last years of her life. She followed her youngest daughter to Kansas. Her other children made their homes in Montana and Minnesota. In all, she had 11 grandchildren and so she still traveled to see them every chance she could. Janet’s children have many unbelievable stories to share, but believe she lived a life overflowing with adventures. She lived independently, never asking, always giving, to the very end…just how she would have wanted. Janet is preceded in death by her parents, John William and Margaret Marie (Oetken) Erickson, her son Chad Aaron, and granddaughter Chandlor Alexis. Also, her brother George William, brothers in law Carlyle Larson, Lonnie Soukup, Bevan Schraw, and Jim Crimmins, son in law Kevin Turner, and nephews Bradley and Michael Larson. She is survived by her children: Tawnya (Eddie) Winchell, Dean (Denni) Garfield, Tachia Armstrong, and Beau (Nellie) Garfield. Grandchildren: Eric and Kevin Turner, Bryanna and Bradyn Winchell, Kade Garfield, Ella and Alex Armstrong, Ben Garfield, and Abel and Julianna Garfield, and her devoted companion Honey. Also by her siblings: Lila Larson, Pete (Barb) Erickson, Karen Crimmins, Judy Loren, Jerry Erickson, Charlie (Rosalie) Erickson, Barb (Lyle) Davies, and Debbie Schraw, and many nieces and nephews.

Janet Faye (Erickson) Garfield

April 8, 1948 - March 22, 2024