Janette "Nettie" Jean Malling

Janette “Nettie” Jean Malling

died peacefully of natural causes at her home with her family at her bedside on October 13, 2020.

Nettie was born in Madison Lake, MN on November 19, 1939 to Harry and Marie Mullerleile. She was raised in the nearby town of Janesville, MN with her brothers Leroy (Oz) and Leon and her sister Carol. She met her husband Arlan in Waseca more than 60 years ago. Their lives would never be the same afterwards as they journeyed together until her passing.

She is survived by husband Arlan Malling, her four children and their spouses, her sister Carol, brother Leon, and three grandchildren – Stephen (Katie) Malling, Dakota Rygh, and Lily Rygh.

Nettie was a kind compassionate person who was a mother to Michelle (Steve) Miller, Michael (Jackie) Malling, Melissa (Joel) Rygh, Melanie (Shane Theuringer) Malling.

In reality, she was a mother to so many more as she raised many children through her home daycare. The neighbor kids (big and small) knew that they could go to Grandma Nettie’s place at any time to visit and to enjoy some of Nettie’s treats.

It seemed as if every day was some sort of holiday at Netties.  She often visited restaurants and made many friends with staff and treated them like her own children.  One of her favorite things to do was to shower everyone with gifts. Everyone knew that the real gift was Nettie and that the treats were just a bonus. All remember her for her generosity, warmth, humor, compassion, and her apple pies.

She loved almost anything competitive such as cards, croquet, and bowling.  Her fierce competitiveness combined with her loving nature and humor made her a great bluffer in cards!  Nothing quite matched her love of croquet when she was lining up someone else’s ball to send. She loved bowling and golfing leagues and chatting with the ladies.

In her spare time she cruised in her BMW and loved to shop the local stores. She also loved her church at Calvary Lutheran and helped with Feed My Starving Children, Loaves and fishes, and Meals on Wheels.  And oh how she loved to decorate for every special occasion!

Nothing matched Nettie’s love of nature. It was so apparent as she often fed the squirrels before anyone else got fed.  She enjoyed watching them and treated them like her own family.  Her love of nature was contagious to others as her family also loves nature and will now forever keep her squirrels fed.

Donations can be made in Nettie’s honor to your local Animal Humane Society or Shelter.

A celebration of life for the immediate family will be held in the coming weeks outdoors at Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley, MN.