Janet Anderson

Janet Hedges Anderson was born in Dodge County on May 2, 1935. She was a genius, a Democrat, and a farmer. She graduated, Valedictorian Class of 1953 from Kasson-Mantorville High School. She attended Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, majoring in pre-law. She and her partner, Bill Anderson, milked Holsteins for 37 years and farmed in southern Olmsted County together for 49 years. She and Bill farmed on their Rock Dell farm for 43 years until his death in 2002. For the past 23 years she has farmed with her son and partner Allyn Anderson of rural Dexter.

Janet loved the farm, the cattle, the cats and Bill Anderson. They met at the Pla-Mor Ballroom in Rochester, MN when Bill returned from service in the US Army. They have 3 children - Jaci (David) Williams of Lexington, KY; Gwen (Galen) Beck of Wilber, NE; Allyn (Michelle) Anderson of Dexter, MN. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren - Diana (Chris) Crockett, Chris (Michelle) Williams, Emily (Daniel) Montgomery; Scott Anderson (Tessa), Katie (Brandon) Schuck, Maureen (Jon) Halama, Anna Beck, and Ben Anderson. Janet has 13 great grandchildren.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Elsie Saettre of rural Kasson, her brother Jay MacDonald of Oceanside CA, and her sister Joan Moses of St. Peter. Her husband and partner, Billy Dean (Bill) Anderson succumbed to cancer in 2002.

Janet left us in the early hours of January 9, 2026 after a brief but exhausting illness. Janet will be sorely missed by her family, her friends and many neighbors and of course by her cats and the cattle.

Her family is planning a celebration party for Janet on her farm, in early spring when the weather improves.