Janet Elizabeth Dvorak

Janet Elizabeth (Foster) Dvorak, who was 102, died Oct. 17, 2019, after a short stay at Hospice House in Bloomington, Indiana. She was born Oct. 9, 1917, in Worthington, Minnesota, the first of five children to John R. and Luida (Schonhovd) Foster. During much of her childhood, she lived in Owatonna, Minnesota, and later attended and was graduated in 1940 from Winona State Teachers College (now Winona State University) in Minnesota. She worked her way through school, working for the director of placements, who helped her get a teaching job in Juneau, Alaska, after teaching kindergarten for one year in Lake City, Minnesota. In 1942, she returned to Minnesota and married Edward J. Dvorak, who served in the Army in WWII. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before he died in early 1993. They raised their family in St. Paul, Minnesota, and after retirement in 1981 shared time between Lindstrom, Minnesota, and Fort Myers, Florida. Survivors include three children: Jack (Cathy) Dvorak, Bloomington, Indiana.; Jim Dvorak, Boston; and Jody Dvorak, Bloomington. Also surviving is one sister, Harriet (Foster) Henry, Seattle. Mrs. Dvorak also had three grandchildren: John T. (Jennifer) Dvorak, Phoenix; Jan Fugarazzo, Denver; and Jay Fugarazzo, Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She also leaves two great grandchildren, Jackson T. Dvorak and Charlotte Mae Dvorak, Phoenix. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, two sisters and a brother predeceased her: Jean (Foster) Turcott, Helen (Foster) MacPherson, and Howard Foster. During her college years, Mrs. Dvorak enjoyed singing in the Mendelssohn Glee Club, an avocation that she enjoyed throughout her life. She sang in various church choirs, the Symphonic Chorale of Southwest Florida, and fairly recently in the Meadowood Singers. Mrs. Dvorak was a devoted and loving mother to her three children, providing a supportive atmosphere while being a steadying influence as they developed. Her culinary skills were second to none, and she was widely known for her homemade pizza and 22 varieties of holiday goodies in December. While she was primarily a homemaker, she was president of the St. Paul, Minnesota, League of Women Voters during the early 1960s, where she led several initiatives during the civil rights movement. She was also on the Board of the Minnesota state League of Women Voters. Having lived at Meadowood Retirement Community in Bloomington since 1997, for many years Mrs. Dvorak volunteered at the Opportunity House. She enjoyed attending numerous musical and dramatic performances at Indiana University. At Meadowood, she had several friends, and she enjoyed playing bridge and shooting pool with them. She enjoyed braiding rugs, making quilts, reading and creating birthday cards for family and friends. Visitation will be from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at St. Paul’s Catholic Center lobby. A Funeral Mass will be said at 3:30 p.m. by Father Dennis Woerter at the Center. Burial will be next to her husband in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Opportunity House, 907 W. 11th St., Bloomington, IN 47404. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 S. Old State Road 37, Bloomington is handling arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Janet Elizabeth Dvorak

October 9, 1917 - October 17, 2019