Janis Kathryn Thomford, 82

Janis Kathryn (Ring) Thomford, age 82, of Red Wing, died Thursday, Sept. 6, at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Red Wing.

She was born Jan. 30, 1930, in Red Wing, to Fletcher and Clara (Cordes) Ring. Her mother, Clara, died when she was 11 years old.

She graduated from Zumbrota High School in 1948. She married Robert Lee Thomford of Zumbrota on Sept. 17, 1950. To this union, five daughters were born: Sara Louise DeCoux, Stephanie Lee (Todd) Prink, Sue Laurel (James) Dicke, Holly Jeanne (Luvy) Rapp, and Heather Marie (Mark Smith) Thomford.

She was baptized and confirmed at Christ Lutheran Church, Zumbrota, and was a long-time member of St. John's WELS Church, Minneola Township, where she also taught Sunday school. For 20 years, she worked for the U.S. Census Bureau. After selling their farm and moving to Red Wing in 1992, they became members of St. John's WELS Church of Red Wing. She volunteered her services to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Wise Penny Thrift Store, as an election judge, and a proud member of the DFL Party.

She is survived by her husband, Robert, and five daughters; 13 grandchildren, Heidi DeCoux (Steve) Giron, Andrea (David) Botchek, Erin, Erik (Laura) and Matthew Prink, Laurel Dicke (Brad Rortvedt), Mark, Leah, and Micah Dicke, Rachel (Jon) Mehrkens, Abigail (Todd) Brinkman, Ethan and Finn Smith; three great-grandchildren, Anika, Bjorn, and Calvin. She is also survived by her two nieces, Mona (Ring) Coury and Marcia (Ring) Smith of Tucson, Ariz., and close cousin Walter (JoAnn) ring.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her only sibling, Leon Ring.

A Celebration of Life open house will be held at their home at 1145 Putnam Ave., Red Wing, from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 9. A private family burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery on Monday.

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