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Janet L. Shelsta Feb 12 1929 - Dec 02 2009
Funeral services for Janet L. (Mrs. Clayton) Shelsta, age 80, of Hayti, SD, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2009, in the Hayti Lutheran Church, Hayti. Rev. Randy Eisenbeisz will officiate. Music will be provided by Deanna Olsen as organist and Lisa Pedersen as soloist. Janet passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2009,at a care center in Watertown, SD. Burial will be in the West Norden Cemetery, rural Hayti. Pallbearers will be: Wayne and Marilyn Thue, Jo Ann and Gary Munson, Burdell and Bonnie Lund, Steve and Monica Zirbel, and Darrell and Ruth Grotjohn. Visitation will be in the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Hayti on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. and in the church on Monday prior to services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Monday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service. Janet was born at the farm home in rural Thomas, SD, on February 12, 1929, to Floyd Leslie and Hattie Elizabeth (Smith) Knight. She graduated from Thomas High School in 1946 as class Valedictorian. On April 6, 1947, Janet married Clayton Shelsta at the Methodist Church in Thomas. She was baptized at this church in 1951. Besides raising a wonderful family of three, she also began work as secretary for two years at Hayti High School. Following that she was secretary for the Sverre Thue FCIC agency, then became an agent on her own. In 1965, she started working for the ASCS government office as a farm program clerk and in 1979, began as CEO of the agency, retiring in 1989. Janet was a member of Hayti Lutheran Church. With her family, her church was her beloved. She was president of the ELCW several terms. She served as deacon of the congregation. She also served as church organist, accompanist, and sang in the cantatas. Being a part of Martha Circle for many years was so precious and leaving this group was such a tender thing. Janet is survived by her husband, Clayton, of 62 years, Hayti, SD; two sons: Scott (Kay) Shelsta of Alexandria, VA, and Stuart (Corby) Shelsta of Hayti, SD; one daughter, Barbara Ann Waldowski, of Irvine, CA; six grandchildren: Christopher (Heather) Shelsta of Fairfax, VA, Dr. Heather (Gregory) Robertson of West Hartford, CT, Erin (Craig) Johnson of Costa Mesa, CA, Emily (Joshua) Houge of Platte, SD, Jesse (Tiffany) Waldowski of Tehachapi, CA, and Olivia Waldowski of Costa Mesa, CA; three great-grandsons: Eric Shelsta, Liam Robertson, and Benjamin Waldowski; one great-granddaughter, Hensley Shelsta Houge; two brothers: Rev. Dwayne (Fern) Knight of St. Augustine, FL, and Leighton (Nila) Knight of Beresford, SD; one sister, Marian (Milton) Trumm ,of Watertown, SD; one sister-in-law, Maxine Bohl, of Castlewood, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, with her love in return. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Janet L. Shelsta
Feb 12 1929 - Dec 02 2009

Funeral services for Janet L. (Mrs. Clayton) Shelsta, age 80, of Hayti, SD, will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 7, 2009, in the Hayti Lutheran Church, Hayti. Rev. Randy Eisenbeisz will officiate. Music will be provided by Deanna Olsen as organist and Lisa Pedersen as soloist. Janet passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2009,at a care center in Watertown, SD.

Burial will be in the West Norden Cemetery, rural Hayti. Pallbearers will be: Wayne and Marilyn Thue, Jo Ann and Gary Munson, Burdell and Bonnie Lund, Steve and Monica Zirbel, and Darrell and Ruth Grotjohn.

Visitation will be in the Crawford Funeral Chapel in Hayti on Sunday from 3 to 5 p.m. and in the church on Monday prior to services. The family is requested to meet at the church on Monday by 10:00 a.m. for a prayer service.

Janet was born at the farm home in rural Thomas, SD, on February 12, 1929, to Floyd Leslie and Hattie Elizabeth (Smith) Knight. She graduated from Thomas High School in 1946 as class Valedictorian.

On April 6, 1947, Janet married Clayton Shelsta at the Methodist Church in Thomas. She was baptized at this church in 1951. Besides raising a wonderful family of three, she also began work as secretary for two years at Hayti High School. Following that she was secretary for the Sverre Thue FCIC agency, then became an agent on her own. In 1965, she started working for the ASCS government office as a farm program clerk and in 1979, began as CEO of the agency, retiring in 1989.

Janet was a member of Hayti Lutheran Church. With her family, her church was her beloved. She was president of the ELCW several terms. She served as deacon of the congregation. She also served as church organist, accompanist, and sang in the cantatas. Being a part of Martha Circle for many years was so precious and leaving this group was such a tender thing.

Janet is survived by her husband, Clayton, of 62 years, Hayti, SD; two sons: Scott (Kay) Shelsta of Alexandria, VA, and Stuart (Corby) Shelsta of Hayti, SD; one daughter, Barbara Ann Waldowski, of Irvine, CA; six grandchildren: Christopher (Heather) Shelsta of Fairfax, VA, Dr. Heather (Gregory) Robertson of West Hartford, CT, Erin (Craig) Johnson of Costa Mesa, CA, Emily (Joshua) Houge of Platte, SD, Jesse (Tiffany) Waldowski of Tehachapi, CA, and Olivia Waldowski of Costa Mesa, CA; three great-grandsons: Eric Shelsta, Liam Robertson, and Benjamin Waldowski; one great-granddaughter, Hensley Shelsta Houge; two brothers: Rev. Dwayne (Fern) Knight of St. Augustine, FL, and Leighton (Nila) Knight of Beresford, SD; one sister, Marian (Milton) Trumm ,of Watertown, SD; one sister-in-law, Maxine Bohl, of Castlewood, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, with her love in return.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Guest book

Comment posted by: Woody and Danielle Biggs
Sat 05th Dec 2009 09:53 am

Clayton, Barbara, Stuart and Scott,
Janet was a wonderful woman in so many ways. I always enjoyed being with her which was unfortunately for me, not often enough. Danielle and I send our deepest sympathies to you during this time. The Biggs family home remains open as always to you all.

Comment posted by: Kara Bent
Fri 04th Dec 2009 03:33 am

Just want the family to know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. Every time we think of a lost loved one, they smile down upon us....

Comment posted by: Nicole Jacobson
Thu 03rd Dec 2009 08:27 pm

Shelsta Family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Janet was such a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart. May God give you peace and comfort during this time.

Comment posted by: Randy Richards
Thu 03rd Dec 2009 06:42 pm

Clayton and Family, My sincere sympathy to all of you in the loss of a very gracious and lovely lady. She was such a dear friend of mine and we enjoyed a lot of fun times during our friendship. She was a dear friend of mine and I will always be thankful for her guidance and advice. God Bless and comfort all of you. Sincerely, Randy Richards and Family, Huron.

Comment posted by: Connie Swanz
Thu 03rd Dec 2009 06:39 pm

Thoughts and prayers go out to you all..Janet was an awesome lady and will be missed..May she have eternal rest

Comment posted by: Dawn Brandt
Thu 03rd Dec 2009 06:37 pm

Dear Clayton and Family, I extend our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Janet was such a pillar in so many lives, including mine. She was a first-class lady, citizen, boss and friend. I am honored to have had the chance to know her and work with her. May God bless you all with peace and comfort. Sincerely, Dawn

Comment posted by: Kelly and Kristi Brown Clinic Oncology
Thu 03rd Dec 2009 06:33 pm

Our thoughts and prayer to all of you. Jan was very special to us. We enjoyed many conversations with her. She was always very upbeat and never without a smile. She will be greatly missed.

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