Janet Ruth Duffek, of Seward, was born Sept. 13, 1938, to Herbert and Ella (Ahlschwede) Beckman in Seward.
She attended Malcolm High School, graduating in 1956. Following high school, Janet attended Reese and Sybil School of Cosmetology. On Sept. 21, 1968, Janet was united in marriage to James “Jim” Duffek at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Janet helped work on the family farm her entire life. After high school, she also worked at Gold’s Department Store, then as a hairdresser for Lucile Duerr and at Heartland Park Estates. In her free time, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and she sang in the St. John’s Adult Choir for many years. Janet passed away Nov. 29, 2022, in Seward, at the age of 84 years, 2 months and 16 days.
She is survived by her husband, James “Jim” Duffek of Seward; daughter, Jennifer Hermsen of Lincoln; grandsons, Ryne and Calder Hermsen; sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Dr. Roger Meyer of Utica; nieces and nephews and numerous family members and friends. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ella Beckman; brother and sister-in-law, Mervin and Veda Beckman; and brother-in-law, Wayne Fehlhafer.
The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward with interment at the Seward Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of Trinity Lutheran Church, Blunt, South Dakots, St. John Lutheran Church or the Alzheimer's Assocition. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.volzkefuneralhome.com.
