Janet "Jan" Austfjord

Janet Lee “Jan” Johnsen Austfjord, 79, of Cavalier, ND, passed away Friday, April 13, 2018, at her home. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at United Lutheran Church, Cavalier, ND. Burial will be held in the Vidalin Cemetery, Hensel, ND. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Cavalier Public Library.

Jan was born June 12, 1938, in Buffalo, NY, to Lee G. and Margaret P. (McDougall) Olson. She completed her education in Denver, CO. Her career was in marketing and sales before moving to North Dakota.

On October 24, 1987, she married Gerald “Joe” Austfjord at Vidalin Lutheran Church, rural Hensel, ND. She was then employed by Pembina County Social Services until her retirement. During that time, she served on the advisory board of the state low income heating assistance program, on the national board of “New Paths”, past president of the ND Eligibility Workers Association, ND Conference of Social Workers, and the ND Conference of Social Welfare. After her retirement, she volunteered at the Cavalier Thrift Store. As an avid reader, she enjoyed the services of the Cavalier Public Library.

She is survived by her son, Jeff L. (Suzanne) Johnsen, Forest River, ND; grandson, Austin G. Johnsen, Seattle, WA; sister, Diana K. Olson and niece Megan P. Olson, Denver, CO; nephew, Chandler Olson, ID; stepchildren and their families: Warren (Leah) Austfjord, Kayla, Cassie (Dustin), Chelsey (Jason); Vince Austfjord, Amanda, Brady (Whitney), Lynzee (Zach); Bonnie (Duane) Deraas, Jennifer (Mike), Christopher (Julia), Alisha (Darin), Alexander; Terry Austfjord, Nicole (Brian), Jami (Ian); and 22 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Joe; and brother, Bob Olson.