Rev. Mary Louise Janz

Mary succumbed to complications of Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare and often misdiagnosed disease on July 31, 2024. She was the daughter of Roy and Harriet Janz of Minot, ND born on August 6, 1945. Her father died when she was five and she and her sister, Margaret, were raised by their mother.

Mary was a graduate of Minot High School, Class of 1963, and Concordia College (Moorhead, MN), Class of 1967. She received her degree in Business and Spanish. After college she worked as a high school Spanish teacher until the school administration wanted her to teach typing. She quit teaching and went to work in Spain in the Ministry of Business and Commerce as a translator during the Franco regime. Returning to the United States, she reengaged in teaching by joining Intra-American Student Programs (IASP), a company that arranged student travel to Mexico, Central America, South America, and Spain. She eventually became the owner of IASP. During that time, she became interested in taking a couple of religious courses at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. A few more courses and she found herself enrolled in the Master of Divinity program. It took her longer to get her degree because she was still managing her company. She finally decided to embark on her third career, sold her company, and received a call to Emmaus Evangelical Lutheran Church (now Emaus ELCA) in Racine, WI in 1991. By 2000 she was strategizing how the church could reach out into the neighborhood. Out of that exercise came programs that are still in existence today (e.g., Emaus After School for Youth (EASY), Neighborhood Camp, and the Spanish speaking part of the current Emaus congregation). Mary retired after 30 years as a Pastor at Emaus.

Mary was always a strategic, “out of the box” thinker and very much a leader in all her endeavors. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Mary is survived by her sister Margaret (Harlan) Swanson and her nephews Mark (Megan) Swanson and Paul (Laura Shank) Swanson as well as grand nieces and nephews Oskar Swanson, Henrik Swanson, Ebba Swanson and Arlo Swanson. She is also survived by many cousins and friends.

Thanks to the staff of the Primrose Retirement Community for the care that she has received over the past year.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Pastor Mary in a special way may direct memorials to Emaus ELCA, 1925 Summit Ave, Racine WI 53404.

A memorial celebration will be held Saturday, September 28, 2024, 2 pm at Emaus Lutheran Church, 1925 Summit Ave, Racine WI 53404.