Born October 1, 1934, in Peoria Illinois, Janet moved 40 times the first 40 years of her life. Janet was married July 12, 1952 to Robert Lewis Biven and spent the next 62 years travelling to all 50 states and 17 countries. Perhaps that explains why she never treated anybody like a stranger.
Janet was the second of six children of Raymond Gnuschke and Velma (Calhoon) Gnuschke. She graduated from high school in LeRoy, Illinois, which she returned to for a 70th reunion in 2022. She worked as a high school cafeteria cook and manager in both Tulsa, Oklahoma and Rockford, Illinois. Her primary focus was on her family, friends, church and rocks, not necessarily in that order. She was a member of Stillwater First Christian Church but maintained contact with Wellington church family, the Order of the Eastern Star, and several Rock Clubs. Not only did she and Robert collect rocks, but often cut gemstones and made jewelry, not for profit but as a labor of love.
She and Robert had four children. Janet treated many others as if they were part of her family including our Hungarian exchange student Peter Doro who maintained the relationship for 30 years. She remembered the names and birthdates of almost all extended family members. The closest and longest friendship was with Dave and Mary Martinkewiz and their children and families.
Janet is predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sisters Beverly Bruhl and Nancy Bloemke; and brother Richard.
She is survived by sons Timothy Biven and James and his wife Gayle Biven; daughters Crystal Huff and her husband Tim, and Angela Gauwitz and husband Henry; grandchildren David Biven and his wife Marissa, Christina Biven, Rebekkah Biven, Hannah Biven, Brian Gault, Aubry Huff and Melanie and her husband Brent Wooldridge; great-granddaughters Hazel Biven and Mazie Woodridge. She is also survived by brothers John Gnuschke and his wife Susan, and David Gnuschke and wife Debbie; as well as the many nieces and nephews originating from the Gnuschke and Biven/Coomer family trees.
She touched many lives and will be greatly missed.
Condolences may be emailed to the family and an online obituary may be viewed by
visiting www.strodefh.com.
