Obituary of Janet Sue Marshall-Thoreen

Janet S. Marshall-Thoreen

1954-2024

Jan died peacefully at the Little Hospice in Edina on May 31, 2024 surrounded by the love of her family. Her death was the result of a very aggressive and fast growing brain tumor that was inoperable. She left us too soon. Jan is survived by her husband of 44 years, Peter, her sons Adam (Jennifer) and Andrew (Julie), her brother Steve (Suzanne) and her four beloved grandchildren Emily, Claire, Wesley and Ozlo. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Jean. Jan was born in Minneapolis on June 2nd, 1954. After graduation, she worked to become a Certified Occupational Therapist at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and Clinics. After meeting Peter at the U of M YMCA, she went on to complete an undergrad degree in speech and linguistics and a Masters in Speech Pathology and Communications. Jan and Peter went on to make homes in Minneapolis, Fargo, Spearfish, SD and Sioux City, Iowa before retiring and moving back to the Twin Cities in 2015. Jan's special place for 33 years was their Round Lake cabin in Ponsford, MN - a place of respite and renewal to take in God's natural beauty as the family moved around the Midwest. In 1991 Jan was diagnosed with ME/CFS and struggled with this autoimmune illness for the rest of her life. While this derailed her chosen career and limited her physical abilities, she continued her dedication to her family, personal health, community and creative and professional pursuits. She was a gifted musician playing piano professionally and for her church, family and friends wherever she lived. While already a skilled guitarist and dulcimer player, she learned Hawaiian Slack Key guitar after visiting the islands later in life. Always learning new skills, Jan worked with foreign-born speakers in accent reduction and communication. Also fluent in ASL, Jan served hearing impaired children with love and dedication in public schools in MN and ND. Among many other ventures, she developed a jewelry business and became a T'ai Chi Chih instructor. Whenever possible and her health allowed, Jan used her limited energy to make the world a better place for all young people she encountered. She volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for families in Sioux City, Iowa. Before leaving Sioux City, Jan created a fund to help support all young people in pursuing music in the Sioux City public schools through the Siouxland Community Foundation. Jan's most treasured role was that of grandmother. Her grandchildren gave her special joy and a sense of purpose when it was hard to sustain her own energy for other life pursuits. A special celebration of life and memorial service will be held for Jan on June 15 at 10:30 am at Minnehaha United Methodist Church. In honor of Jan, and in lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a donation to Solve ME/CFS (350 N. Glendale Ave., Suite B #368, Glendale, CA 91206) and Siouxland Community Foundation (Designate to: The Sioux City Public Schools Music Participation Endowment, 505 5th St., Suite 412, Sioux City, IA 51101).