Janet Ilona Oachs

Janet Ilona (Spurlin) Oachs went to be with the Lord on September 15th 2025 at the age of 83 years, 11 months, and 9 days. She passed peacefully at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Cloquet, MN.

Janet was born on October 6th 1941 in Nevis, MN to her parents Linda and Guy Spurlin. She was the oldest of five children. The family moved to Cloquet, MN when Janet was in her sophomore year of high school. This area of MN continued to be her home for the majority of her life.

Janet married Gene at 19 years old and gave birth to three beautiful children, Annette, Mark and Melissa. The family then purchased a home outside of Cloquet in Esko, MN. After her divorce, the farm in Esko remained her home until she moved to the twin cities in 2018 to live with her daughter Melissa and her family. Janet was a generous, faithful, and creative woman. She was a foster parent to many children including her adopted daughter Shainell Anne Oachs. Later in her career Janet fostered a number of high needs adults and was very good at providing for everyone around her. Janet received many foster care awards for outstanding service, demonstrating her servant heart and desire to follow God’s calling. Janet loved the Lord her whole life and was a member of Bethany Covenant in Cloquet, MN and later attended Gospel Tabernacle in Cloquet, MN. Janet was an artist and had an affinity for oil painting, drawing, singing, and was even in a community production of the Sound of Music.

Upon her death, Janet joins her daughter Annette Finnila, her parents Linda and Guy Spurlin, three of her siblings, Tim Spurlin, Faith Nelson, and Barbara Mills. She is survived by her sister Phyllis Niemi, her children, Mark (Rhonda) Oachs, Melissa (Steven) Erickson, Shainell Oachs, and son-in-law Mark (Mary) Finnila. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jeremy and Jason Oachs, Erik and Luke (Sarah) Finnila, Nicole (Will) Fondrie, and the Ericksons, Hannah (John Geray), Norah, Lars (Betsy), Onalee, and Ella. She is survived by 5 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 11 AM at Journey Christian Church in Cloquet with Pastor Ben Salmi. Visitation will be from 10-11 AM prior to the service. A private burial will be held at a later date at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet, MN.

Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

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