Life tribute to Janet Schultz

February 27, 1954 - December 15, 2025

Janet Rachel Schultz was born on February 27, 1954, in Moorhead, Minnesota, to Joe and Rhoda Hough. She was the sixth of ten children and grew up on a farm in Barnesville, Minnesota, where she lived until graduating from high school in 1972. Life in a large household instilled in her a strong sense of responsibility, as she helped with chores such as doing dishes with her sister Jennifer and cooking, cleaning, and caring for her younger siblings when her mother Rhoda was ill.

From an early age, Janet had a deep love for horses and a remarkable gift for art, particularly portrait drawing. Her high school art teacher recognized her talent and strongly encouraged her to pursue it further. Though life took her in a different direction, she always carried pride in her artistic ability and cherished her high school teacher’s compliments.

In 1972, Janet married Dean Dauner and welcomed three children—Angela, Aaron, and Adam. Following their divorce in the late 1970s, she continued raising her children as a single mother. She was able to fulfill her dream of studying art at Moorhead State University for three years in the early 1980s. During that time, she married Gary Schultz, and in 1990, they welcomed a son, Andrew. Gary and Janet separated in the late 1980s, and she continued to raise her children as a single mother, devoted to providing them with stability and care.

Janet earned her real estate license in North Dakota and Minnesota and enjoyed driving around town, pointing out to her children the homes she was looking to sell. She later began working for the telephone company as a Directory Assistance Operator. She remained there for nearly twenty years, earning commendations for her dedication and professionalism. She later shared that no one had been hired in her department for ten years prior to her and her training class being selected. This was an accomplishment she was very proud of. Her steady employment provided stability for her family and allowed her to achieve her goal of purchasing her own home.

After retirement, Janet and Gary divorced. She moved to Fargo and lived there for a few years before relocating to Arizona for nearly ten years to help care for her grandson, Ethan. She moved back to Minnesota in the fall of 2019 and remained there until her passing.

Faith and family were central to Janet’s life. She had a deep faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and devoted herself to prayer, faithfully lifting up her family and the many prayer requests entrusted to her.

She is survived by her children: Angela McRorey; Aaron (Lori) Dauner; Adam (Brandy) Dauner; and Andrew (Kimberly) Braton-Schultz. Her grandchildren: Ariel and Skylar McRorey, and Ethan Dauner. Her siblings: Joe Hough; Julie Krabbenhoft; James (Wanda) Hough; Jennifer (Kevin) Ogaard; Jeff (Karen) Hough; Jan “Tab” Hough; and Jill (Mark) Schenk; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Rhoda Hough; her sister, Joy Dockter; her brother, Jay Hough; her nephew, Kent Hough; her brothers-in-law, Verne Raknerud and Don Krabbenhoft; and her infant grandson, Noah McRorey.

Janet lived a life rooted in faith and centered on her family. Her deep faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, guided her heart and her decisions. She cared deeply for her children, grandchildren and her brothers and sisters. She faithfully did what she could to help and support them whenever she was able to, including lifting them up in prayer. We value the time we had with her and treasure the memories we made together. We only wish she could have stayed with us longer. We will love her forever and she is greatly missed.

Visitation will be from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. A livestream of the service will be available here on Janet's webpage. Final resting place will be at Rosemound Cemetery, Barnesville, MN, at a later date.