Janet Elaine Koland of Finlayson, MN died on Thursday, January 29, 2026. She was 84 years old.

Janet was born on September 16th, 1941, in Hinckley, MN to Walter and Reva (Sampson) Athey. She attended Sandstone High School and graduated in 1959. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a Billy Graham Crusade at the State Fair Grounds and was baptized at Stanchfield Baptist Church with Pastor Wayne Matejka officiating. She was a long-time member of the Sandstone Evangelical Free Church.

Janet worked for Murphy Motor Freight until she married Gary Wayne Koland on September 16th, 1961, on her 20th birthday. She worked at the drug store in Sandstone and later took a job at the bank in Finlayson. Janet and Gary adopted two children through Children's Home Society in St. Paul. She quit her job at the bank to stay home to care for the children. Janet milked and fed the cows, raised a huge garden, canned, and cooked for the family. She helped open Jan and Gary's Country Dining in 1987 and worked there until retirement in 2022. Janet was a hardworking, strong woman who found joy in her kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

She was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Reva Athey; stepbrother Dwaine Pickell, brothers LeRoy and Marvin Athey; sister in law, Peggy Koland; brother in law, David Koland; and niece Wendy.

She is survived by her husband Gary Koland; sisters-in-law Linda and Bonnie Athey; children Greg (Marady) Koland, Joelle (Rick) Montzka; grandchildren Jonah (Alicia), Maddi (Cody), Libby (Bryson), Sarah and Thomas; great-grandchildren Hazel, Coraline; sister in laws, Darlene Carlson, Diane Kirby; brother in law, Ronald (Marilyn) Koland; eight nephews and eight nieces.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at the Sandstone Evangelical Free Church with Rev. Chris Cundiff officiating. Visitation will be from 11 until 12 at the church. Burial will be at Spring Park Cemetery following the service.

Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN.