Janice Lee LaMere

LaMere (Schwab), Janice L.

age 73 of Maple Grove, passed away on Feb. 16, 2024. Survived by husband, George “Butch”; daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” (Larry) Walton; grandson, Lukas (Francesca) Wilson; sister, Diana (Dan) Schwab; special cousin, Marge Schwab; special aunt, Mary Zelenak; special friend, Dianne Sorlein; four-legged friend, Daisy; many other family members, friends & her Broadway Crew. Preceded in death by parents John “Huntz” & Mary Ann Schwab; baby brother Schwab. Memorial Service 11am Sat., Feb. 24, at Gearty-Delmore Chapel 3888 W. Broadway Ave. Robbinsdale. Visitation 1 hr. prior at funeral home. Reception and lunch to follow at Broadway Pizza, Robbinsdale. In lieu of flowers, memorials to National Kidney Foundation.

Jan was born March 26, 1950 to parents Huntz and Mary Ann Schwab. She was raised alongside her sister Diana in the city of Robbinsdale. She attended St Jospeh’s Catholic School in North Minneapolis and graduated class of 1968 from Robbinsdale High School where she’d meet life long friend, Dianne.

In her early 20’s she met and Married Wesley Walton, who would eventually make Jan a mother to Elizabeth in 1978. Before they were parents they bought a tiny cabin on Indian Lake and with the help of family added on to make it what it is today. Jan and Wes moved away from family in North Minneapolis (following the the St. Joseph’s parish to the new St. Joseph the Worker) and moved “all the way out to Maple Grove” where together they built a beautiful home in 1978. This would be just in time for Elizabeth’s arrival. Jan Loved the cabin and her home as it’s where so many of her life’s memories were made. Jan and Wes’s marriage ended amicably and they remained great friends, raising Elizabeth together until his death in 2001.

As a single mother in the early 80’s Jan began waiting tables at DeLisi’s Bar and then landed at Broadway Pizza in Minneapolis where she would spend Monday through Friday serving lunch for 32 years. She knew many going into Broadway as her father Huntz preceded her employment for 29 years as a bartender before she started. She met and Loved so many customers and coworkers who would often become lifelong friends.

In 1988, Jan met Butch (George) and was soon after engaged and then married in September 1989. Jan enjoyed the LaMere family and quickly adopted them as her own. She Loved watching this large family grow and looked forward to making sure all of the kids were remembered at Christmas. Butch and Jan made it to 34 years of marriage making memories together. Many were made at the lake with Huntz, Elizabeth, Lukas, and lots of other family and friends. Also on many trips to their favorite together destination, Las Vegas. In recent years they raised their puppy girl Daisy, who they both Love so much.

In 2004 Jan’s pride and joy was born. Her grandson Lukas. Much of her life’s joy was wrapped up in this boy and with good reason. A beautiful connection between a grandson and grandmother, I dare to say cannot be matched.

As her daughter I was never not in absolute awe of Jan’s strength when facing adversity. She was my best friend and as best friends go, I got to see all sides of her. I am blessed to have cried with her until we smiled again and more often smiled until we cried tears of joy together. We took care of each other. I don’t know of another mother and daughter who were so close as her and I were. Together we were a force so strong it made others want to be a part of it and understand it, but no one could. It’s one of those things that’s so beautiful there are no words for it…Just like her.

I can tell you with certainty that Jan was and is a brilliant Loving light that will never ever fade away. She is so missed.