Janet F. (Classon) Mart arrived on this earth on 5/23/1944 in Fairmont, MN. Jan was the second of three children (always the self-proclaimed middle child) to Truman and Viola Classon. She was welcomed home by her brother Dennis Classon she always valued his opinion and looked to him for advice throughout her life. Later she welcomed her little sister Diane Neusch who stole her seat on Viola’s lap because she was like a warm blanket. She carried that warm blanket feeling to Jan throughout her life. Jan’s journey through life was marked by strength, laughter, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends. If you were allowed into her inner circle, you were welcome with open arms and better be ready for a seat at the game table.
Jan attended country school through eighth grade and then moved to junior and senior high school in Fairmont, MN.
Jan married Donald Schwieger on 10/27/1962 he was her first love and together they started a family welcoming “her boys” Mark Schwieger and Mike Schwieger whom she has always been proud of. Jan never gave up on love and she later married Bill Mart 10/27/1972. Bill had a sense of humor and work ethic that she loved. Jan wanted “her boys” to have the opportunity to be raised on a farm. Together they moved their family to Baudette in 1977 to the farm. Jan knew then that Baudette was her home forever.
Jan’s working career consisted of many positions throughout her life. Jan love working in the service industry where she had worked as a hostess, waitress, bartender, and sold pull tabs. Jan was the high school secretary in Fairmont. Jan loved to read and be in the know, so working as a typesetter for the newspaper was right up her alley. Jan’s favorite job/boss was when she worked at First national Bank for Dave Swenson. She was a bookkeeper for Ralph and Randy’s Foods, later Lake of the Woods Foods. She was a great teacher, and you were taught from the beginning to keep your money and bank bag organized (those of you who know -you know). In her early retirement Jan opened a credit bureau. Jan was a hard worker, always having two jobs. She was fiercely independent and was not going to settle in life.
Jan had a love for the thrill of the game whether it was a lively Legion Vegas night, a trip to Warroad casino for video poker after working at both jobs, a swift game of Uno with her grandchildren, a friendly wager on the world series with her brother (she really loved to collect from him), a nail-biting finish to a Twins game, Texas Hold ’em, or cribbage. Jan enjoyed any game and had family and friends always joining her. Jan had a trademark charm that she brought to the table along with her poker face.
Jan loved to be outdoors, she loved to fish (another competitive sport), walking her dog (her boys joked that she treated him better than them), or mowing. Any day with the sun in her face, with family and friends, was a good day.
Jan was the kind of person who liked to help. If she was able to help a family member, friend, or acquaintance she was all in. This shined through in working with the census, meals on wheels, Relay for life for which she was later a survivor of breast cancer, and she loved to bring her signature pies to Legion dinners (Mrs. Smith pie in her Corelle pie plate it fit just perfectly).
Jan loved to travel! She was able to do just that as she traveled with her friend Jack and her boys while they worked with the powerline jobs, their adventures took them to California, New York, and Florida just to name a few of their stops. Las Vegas became a yearly event with family and friends. Jan had the opportunity to attend We Fest for many years, which allowed her to see so many of her favorite artists. Jan was always up for any adventure and never passed up on an opportunity.
Jan was a proud mother, grandmother, and great grandmother always there to be supportive, to lend a helping hand, to be your biggest cheerleader, but always put you in your place when needed. She was tiny but fierce. Jan lived boldly, loved deeply, and laughed often. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Jan left this earth on 8/10/25 after a battle with dementia.
She is survived by sons: Mark (Lisa) Schwieger and Mike (Leslie) Schwieger, brother: Dennis (Helen) Classon, sister: Diane (Bob) Neusch, grandchildren: Tyler (Janaya) Wood, Danielle (Darren) Koschak, great grandchildren: Aria, Charlie, Easton, Bauer, Brooks, and Cash as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jan was proceeded in death by her parents: Truman and Viola Classon, grandson: David Schwieger and great niece and nephew: Joey and Tyler Kotewa
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 28th at 11:00 AM at the Helgeson Funeral Home in Baudette, with a lunch following the service at 12:30 at the American Legion in Baudette.
Last modified: 08/15/2025
