Janet Leighty
A Celebration of Life service to honor the life and legacy of Janet Leighty, age 96, of New Ulm, formerly of Lakefield, will be held at the Lakefield United Methodist Church in Lakefield on Thursday, July 3rd at 1:00 PM, with a time of visitation and gathering from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Lakefield City Cemetery in Lakefield.
Janet Elaine (Weseman) Leighty was born on November 21, 1928, in Jay Township, Martin County, Minnesota. The daughter of William and Rose (Bettin) Weseman, she grew up in Sherburn, Minnesota, where she was baptized and confirmed at the St. John’s Lutheran Church. She attended country school before graduating from Sherburn High School.
On March 9, 1947, she married Carver Emmet Leighty in Alpha, Minnesota. The couple resided on the family farm in Hunter Township before moving to Lakefield in 1968, where they became active members of the Methodist Church. Together, they raised a family of three children, Judy, Teresa and Duane, and Janet worked hard as a farm wife. In June 1972, she began working at Sperry Corporation in electronics manufacturing until her retirement in March 1987.
In addition to her work, Janet was known for her love of baking and gardening. She tended to a vegetable garden, growing sweet corn, peas, and many other fresh produce items for the family to enjoy. She took great pride in her home, always keeping it clean and organized — a trait that often led her family to joke that she carried around a cleaning bottle for fun.
Janet had a deep appreciation for nature, enjoying birdwatching and observing the deer and wild turkeys that roamed near her home. She also found joy in playing cards, collecting coins, and she spent many evenings at the bowling alley. Carver and Janet met at the Fox Lake Ballroom in Sherburn, where Big Band music sparked their love of music and one another. They also spent time at the Roof Garden in Okoboji, Iowa. Janet and Carver enjoyed visiting with their close friends, Virg and Mick Shenberger from Lucas, Ohio, a friendship formed from Carver’s military service and grew into a longtime friendship that was celebrated annually by alternating visits between their homes.
Janet passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 24th at Oak Hills Living Center in New Ulm, Minnesota.
Janet is survived by her children, Judy Sethre of Byron, Teresa (Arnold) Gehrls of East Bethel, and Duane (Jean) Leighty of New Ulm; seven grandchildren, Jason Sethre, Heidi Sethre Wiplinger, Heather Gehrls-Ostman, Brandon Gehrls, Colbey Leighty, Caleb Leighty, and Coresa Leighty Cass; 18 great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband, Carver; parents, William and Rose Weseman; brothers, Lawrence (Grace) McDeid, Charles (Pauline) McDeid, and Darrell Weseman of Sherburn; sister, Kathryn (Richard) Smith, Lois Kleine, Delores Johnson and Mildred Sickler.
She will be remembered for her dedication to her family, her love for games shows, and her keen sense of order.