Janet Rose Anderson

Age 78 of Gardner, Illinois, died Sunday, December 14, 2025 at her home with family at her side.

Born May 25, 1947, in Joliet, Illinois, Janet was the daughter of Andrew Bertot and Lillian (Girot) Sowers. She was raised and educated in Gardner, and following the death of her father at an early age, she and her mother lived with her grandparents, who owned and operated the Riviera Restaurant. It was there that she made many cherished memories in the family business and on the surrounding property, playing along the path over the creek and sledding down the hill behind the restaurant.

At age 10, Janet’s mother married Bob Sowers. Together, Lillian and Bob lovingly raised her, and in later years Bob adopted Janet as his own. Janet graduated from Gardner South Wilmington High School with the Class of 1965 and went on to complete her nursing education through the St. Joseph School of Nursing at the College of St. Francis, becoming a Registered Nurse in 1968.

On September 20, 1969, Janet married Daniel L. Anderson at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington and together they made their home and raised their family in Gardner.

Janet began her nursing career at St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet, where she worked for 12 years, and continued her vocation at Morris Hospital, retiring in 2010 after 24 years of dedicated service. She was a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where she helped with funeral luncheons, was an active member of the Gardner American Legion Auxiliary and was a proud alumna of both the St. Joseph School of Nursing and St. Francis University.

Outside of her work, Janet treasured time with her family. She and her husband loved to travel, especially enjoying frequent trips to Florida, visits to Europe, and several memorable cruises. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she rarely missed a school program or sporting event. Janet will be lovingly remembered as “Nona” and “Grammy.”

Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Danny Anderson of Gardner; two children: Jeffrey (Jodi) Anderson of Hampshire, Illinois, and Matthew (Roxanne) Anderson of Gardner; ten grandchildren: Lucas, Braden, Bryce, Landon, Brody, Cole, Garrett, Drew, Bennett, and Ella; three sisters-in-law: Kay Jensen of Morris and Karla Anderson and Karen (Tom) Perkins, both of Gardner; numerous nieces and nephews; her special cousins: Sue Suddick, Roseanne Kaffer, and Patricia Murphy, and special aunts: Jean Girot and Sandra Sowers.

Janet was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Bertot, and her mom and dad: Lillian and Bob Sowers.

The family will receive friends at Reeves Funeral Home, 203 North Liberty Street, in Gardner on Wednesday – December 17, 2025 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow Thursday morning, December 18th at 11:00 a.m. in St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 165 Rice Road, in South Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Father Stanley Drewniak presiding. Burial will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois and Janet's grandchildren will act as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Janet's memory to St. Lawrence Catholic Church in South Wilmington or to Lightways Hospice.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.ReevesFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Janet's memorial page online through social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland, & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Gardner (815) 237-2526.