Obituary of Janice Charpentier

Janice Lee Getting Charpentier

Born October 12, 1935 to Margaret and LeRoy Getting in Sanborn, Iowa. Died October 15, 2024. Preceded in death by husband Donald A. Charpentier after 55 years of marriage. Survived by children Jennifer Charpentier (Ed Goto) and Ian Charpentier (Kathy Megarry), grandchildren Steven, Margo and Daniel, cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. In the late 1950’s, Jan spent her college junior year abroad in a Presbyterian Church sponsored study and travel program. After traveling through Europe and the Middle East, she had two work-camp experiences: one in India and then the Philippines. That year of study transformed her view of the world, her place in it and what she felt called to do: social justice work. Don and Jan’s marriage took them from Chicago, Nashville and Fredonia (NY).  After she and Don settled in River Falls, Wisconsin for what they thought would be a few years – turned into more than forty – Jan was a social worker in Ramsey County, Minnesota, and then stayed home with her young kids. She thought her work would be advocating in an urban area and ultimately, she came to uncover her work as a licensed school psychologist in Mounds View Public Schools (Minnesota) for several years and then at Baldwin-Woodville Public School District (Wisconsin) for more than 20 years advocating for kids, their parents, and families. Avid reader, gardener, sudoku puzzle solver, we remember her as a generous, gracious, faithful, and loving woman.

Service scheduled on Saturday, November 9 at First Congregational UCC Church River Falls, at 2 pm, visitation at 1 pm and meal to follow the service.

Memorials suggested to Southern Poverty Law Center, First Congregational/UCC Church River Falls, Family Resource Center of St. Croix, Turning Point (River Falls), Alzheimer's Association or the charity of the donor's choice.