Janis Rae Manska was born April 28, 1945, in Montevideo, Minnesota, to Bennie Gerhard and Nettie Mathilda (Christenson) Mitling. She was baptized at Our Saviors Lutheran Church and confirmed at Jevnaker Church in Montevideo. She grew up in the Montevideo area and attended grade school in Montevideo, country school, and then Milan High School. On November 16, 1963, Janis was united in marriage to Philip Blaine Manska at Our Saviors Lutheran Church by Rev. Gerald Lygne. This union was blessed with more than 51 years of marriage, three children, and seven grandchildren. Janis candled eggs in Montevideo and Benson. She and Philip moved to Montevista, Colorado for a while and then decided to return to Benson. They later lived in Mound by the Twin Cities but eventually decided again to return to Benson. Janis worked at Fingerhut and Wymans beginning in 1966, Townhouse beginning in 1978, Future Products beginning in 1994, Agvise beginning in 1998, and Meadow Lane beginning in 2000 until her retirement in 2007. Through the years, she was a Sunday school teacher, Bible school teacher, and was active in the Women's Guild. Janis enjoyed crocheting, sewing, baking, spending time with grandkids, gardening, watching her soap operas, her pets, and going for car rides with Philip. Janis passed away Sunday, December 14, 2014, at the Golden Living Center - Meadow Lane. She had attained 69 years, 7 months, and 16 days of age. She is survived by her husband, Philip Manska; children: Tamera Koosmann, Sheila (Rob) McGee, and Linette (Brent) Berens, all of Benson; grandchildren: Bobi Rose McGee, Philip McGee, Bradley Berens, Mitchell Koosmann, Benji McGee, Jay McGee, and Adam Koosmann; sisters: Adeline Nielsen of Morris, Clarice Smolley of Montevideo, Natsy Roudebush of Savage, Irene Beadle of Richfield, and Carol Buschmann of Montevideo; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bennie and Nettie Mitling, brothers, Johnnie Mitling and Howard Mitling; sisters, Bernice Larson and Beverly Home; brothers-in-law: Eskild Nielsen, Vernon Larson, Donald Smolley, Edward Roudebush, Robert Beadle, Max Buschmann, Theodore (Happy) Home; sister-in-law, Marlys Mitling; nieces, Sandra Beadle and Vicki Christenson; and nephews: Bruce Larson, Lee Larson and Gary Larson.
