Janet Yevonne Register

Janet Yevonne (Williamson) Register, age 84, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center where she had resided the past 2 months.  Janet was born February 4, 1940, in Grayson (Carter County), Kentucky.  She loved her Kentucky heritage, and had many stories to tell.  When Janet was about 5, she moved for a short time with her family to Ohio, and thereafter landed in Albert Lea, Minnesota.  She attended Albert Lea Public Schools. 

In 1956 Janet married Edward (Tudy) Williamson in Albert Lea.  They divorced 22 years later.  Together they had 6 children.  Janet dedicated many years to being a stay-at-home mom. She also worked in various restaurants, spent 10 years working in the Wilson Foods plant, and in her later work years, she worked the night audit in some local motels, where she was held up at gun point/knife point, on more than one occasion.

Janet was married from 1982-1989 to Keith Leslie Register.

Janet was a believer in the 2nd amendment and took great care in ensuring her grandchildren, when they were old enough, went with her to gun training.  Janet was a great cook and baker, and loved to cook for people. And pies were a specialty.  She thoroughly enjoyed reading cookbooks, especially old church cookbooks. Janet lived a simple life and she didn’t ask for much.  She put great thought into decisions she made.  She loved deeply.  And she loved family gatherings. Janet was a member of Bridge Community Church.

Janet is survived by her 6 children:  Myrna Wegner, Edward Williamson (Sheila Hanson), Maureen (Michael) Gilbertson, Tim (Kim) Williamson, Michelle Bendickson and Ted Williamson; 22 Grandchildren:  Josh (Anne) Wegner, Sarah (Chad) Gehring, Matt (Krista Johnson) Williamson, Phil (Betsey Reed) Williamson, Nicole (Josh) Wilke, Carrie Gilbertson, Leah (Theo) Jacobsen, Trouper Gilbertson, Chad (Brielle) Gilbertson, Izabelle Thostenson, Edward Gilbertson, Jessariah Gilbertson, Milania Gilbertson, Myssiah Gilbertson, Jaylani Gilbertson, Jessica (Kevin) Dreyling, Jeremiah (Kristy) Williamson, Jennifer (Brandon) Wolf, Jamie Williamson, Rachel (Daniel) Neri, Christina Williamson, and Cody Williamson; 23 great-grandchildren, and is expecting a 24th great-grandchild in July.  Also surviving Janet are her sisters:  Patricia (Alan) Jepson; Sonya Paulson and Brenda Parry, as well as many, many precious nieces, and nephews.

Janet is preceded in death by her mother: Louise Margaret (Shaffer) (O’Rourke) Seedorf, Father: Orville Michael O’Rourke, Sister:  Geneva O’Rourke, First husband: Edward Williamson, Second husband: Keith Register, daughters-in-law: Linda Williamson and Kari Williamson, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law:  Robert Parry, Donald and Evelyn Williamson, Dayton and Margaret Williamson, Marlys and Don Janssen, Dick and Mary Williamson; great-granddaughters: Janna Jacobsen and Sadie Gilbertson.

A funeral service will be held at Bridge Community Church on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. with visitation from 12-2 p.m. at the church. Pastor Clayton Balsley will be officiating. After food and fellowship, Janet will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Glenville, MN.