July 15, 1923 - July 31, 2023
Janet Alverna (Severtson) Dokken July 15, 1923 – July 31, 2023
Janet was born to John and Elsie Severtson on July 15, 1923 in Mapleton, MN. She was the youngest of three children. She grew up on the family farm with the usual chores and enjoyed participating in 4-H.
Janet attended Fountain Brook Country School (K-8th grade) and graduated from Mapleton High School on June 1, 1941. She graduated from Lutheran Bible Institute of Minneapolis, MN on May 23, 1945. Janet loved her time at LBI and it was a major turning point in her life, as Jesus became her personal Savior and she met lifelong friends, some of whom became family.
Following her time at LBI, Janet worked in Red Wing, MN at Vasa Children’s Home. In addition to work, she taught Sunday School and VBS at a local Lutheran Church. In December of 1948, she moved to Jamestown, ND to work at the Crippled Children’s School (Anne Carlsen School).
It was in Jamestown, she met Melvin Dokken. She was helping out a friend whose boyfriend, from out of town, was coming to visit, along with a friend of his. Janet agreed to go out on a double date. Melvin, known for his singing voice, was asked to sing, Down from His Glory. Janet’s response to Melvin’s singing was, “He won my heart!”
On March 15, 1952, Melvin and Janet were married at Delavan Lutheran Church in Delavan, MN. After a weekend honeymoon, they made their home in Minneapolis, MN where Melvin had recently started working at the Veteran’s Administration. Janet was a housewife and mother, as daughter Miriam Janet was born on December 30, 1955. Janet also worked at Sears, the Lutheran Evangelistic Movement Christian Bookstore (her favorite job, 1969-83), and Bloomington-Lake Clinic. Melvin and Janet were long time members at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. In retirement, they moved into Trinity Apartments where Janet volunteered in the kitchen serving lunch Monday-Friday.
Janet and Melvin loved visiting with family and friends. They made numerous trips around the Midwest and always found a way to get to see Miriam and her family, wherever they were living.
In September 2012, Janet moved to Everett, WA at the urging of her beloved family. Janet thrived in the assisted living of Bethany-Silver Crest, loving time with her family. And they loved having her close-by. These past eleven years have been a blessing, even as Janet transitioned to skilled care at Bethany in 2021. We are so thankful for the wonderful living arrangements and the personal care at Bethany Home.
Janet had a wonderful celebration of 100 years on July 15, 2023 with her family.
Janet passed from this life to eternal life on July 31, 2023.
Janet is survived by her daughter, Miriam (Martin) Valder; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Kelcie) Valder, Alyssa Valder, Bethany (Michael) Titterness; and great-grandchildren, Lucy, Leo and Hank Valder and Simon Titterness. Janet is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Torres (Helen) Severtson; sister, Elaine (Gerald) Proehl; and husband, Melvin (February 2004).
Blessed be the precious memories of Janet A. Dokken!
Memorial Service
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
2:00 PM
Visitation 1 hour prior
Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel
6527 Portland Avenue South
Richfield, Minnesota 55423
I am saddened by the loss of my precious aunt Janet, but so grateful for having her in my life all these years. She was always so kind, had such a pleasant demeanor and I can still her contagious laugh. For about 6 weeks just before John and I were married in Oct 1973, I lived with uncle Melvin and aunt Janet. It was a such a precious privilege to spend time with them! We would stop to aunt Janet in Mpls as often as we were able, and while we missed seeing her the last several years, we are grateful she was close to her family. We talked by phone when we could and heard often from her how she longed for heaven. While she will be missed, we are thankful she is now with her Savior!
I knew Mrs. Dokken from St Paul’s Church in Minneapolis, MN. She was my prayer partner when I was a child in King’s Daughter’s Club at St Paul’s
on Wednesday night’s. She would always remember me on my birthday with a card and a little gift and I knew she was praying for me. Even after growing out of the youth program she continued to pray for me and remember me with a card on my birthday. I am so thankful she became my prayer partner that day!