Janet Lee Wahlert

Janet Lee Wahlert, 69, of Adel passed away on Monday April 8, 2024 at Spurgeon Manor Nursing Home in Dallas Center.

Janet was born in Des Moines on October 3, 1954 to Samuel Ford and Pauline (VanAuken) Ford. She grew up in Des Moines and graduated from Hoover High School where she was an extremely talented, state champion swimmer. Her ability for swimming led her to swim under scholarship at the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley. Not only was she a talented swimmer, but Janet was also an avid skier and member of a competitive ski team in the Des Moines area. It was in Des Moines that she met the love of her life, Lee Wahlert, and they were married on September 22, 1979. The two of them raised 3 children, and spent the last 20 years together owning and operating River Valley Golf Course in Adel.

Janet’s life revolved around service. Whether it was helping patients with muscular dystrophy, volunteering at the Red Cross, or working with children with special needs, Janet was always there to lend a helping hand. She also worked as a nurse for several years, was a volunteer with boy and girl scouts, and was the head coach of the ADM dance team for many years. Not only did Janet take care of members of her community, but she also prided herself on taking care of her family and loved to be involved in any activities her kids or grandkids participated in. Janet was someone who went above and beyond to show people she loved them, and had a knack for remembering important dates in people’s life and making sure to send a card to let them know she was thinking of them. She will be remembered as a kind and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Paul Ford.

Those left to cherish Janet’s memory are her husband of nearly 45 years; Lee Wahlert, her children; Roxanne (Joseph) Dardano, Matt Wahlert, and Curt (Andrea) Wahlert, her grandchildren; Beau Wahlert, Lilee Wahlert, Isabella Dardano, and Noah Dardano as well as her brother; Jim Ford, her great aunt Lil, and many cousins and friends.

Janet will be laid to rest at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel. The family would like to invite family and friends to a luncheon celebrating Janet’s life from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Wednesday April 24, 2024 at the Veterans Reception Center in Van Meter.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the American Red Cross. Condolences can be made to the family at caldwellparrish.com