Lois Jane Knecht

Jane's Memorial Service can be viewed here:
https://www.firstumcfargo.org/live-stream/

Jane's tribute video may be viewed here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/498KHNFB25JCSTHS

Jane Sheldon was born in Fargo, North Dakota, on September 2, 1928, to Charles and Florence Sheldon of Wheatland, ND. Jane died on May 26, 2022 at Farmstead Estates in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Jane grew up on the family farm, two farms in fact, both near Wheatland, ND. She graduated from Buffalo High School in 1946. After attending NDAC (now NDSU) for two years, she earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Valley City State University. That same year (1951), she was united in marriage to David F. Knecht at Wheatland United Methodist Church.

Jane taught in Wilmette, Illinois, for two years while Dave finished his seminary education before moving back to ND, where Dave served as the pastor of the Fairmount-Bethany parish from 1953-57. During this time, they were blessed with the birth of three daughters, (Kathleen, Margaret, and Jeanne).

The now family of five then moved to Fargo, ND, where Dave was called to serve Faith United Methodist Church (1957-66). Three children were added to the family during this time (Laureen, Christine, and Jonathan), keeping her very busy!

The family's next move was to Bismarck, ND and McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck, ND (1966). In 1967, Timothy David was adopted into the family. Ten years passed before Jane returned to teaching as a paraprofessional at Northridge Elementary School.

The Knecht family moved to Fargo, ND in 1979, with Jane returning to NDSU to earn her master's degree in Counseling and Guidance (1983). In 1984 she joined forces with two other women to establish Discovery Counseling and Educational Center in Fargo.

In the fall of 1988, Jane taught Educational Psychology at Concordia College in Moorhead. Resigning from Discovery Counseling in 1990, she joined Dave on a pulpit exchange program that took them to Kingswinford, England, for a year. Upon their return to Fargo, Jane began teaching again.

When Dave retired from pastoral ministry, Jane and Dave became increasingly involved in volunteer ministries within the United States and overseas, including interim missionary work in Lithuania. Jane and Dave then enjoyed more and more time at the Haven- their cabin on Little Wolf Lake near Cass Lake, Minnesota- with family and by themselves!

Jane was strong, stubborn, compassionate, funny, loving, fair, and patient. She was beautiful inside and out. She was a wonderful mom, grandma, and great grandmother. We trust that she is laughing with her husband now. They were each other's great love.

Her family is so grateful for the life Jane lived and the love she shared with so many! She leaves behind her 7 children: Kathy Knecht of Fargo, Margaret Schaar of Fargo (Scott), Jeanne Scheffler of South Dakota (Duane), Laurie Kluver of Alexandria (AJ), Chris Church of St. Paul (Ryan), Jon Knecht of Mapleton (Amy), and Tim Knecht of Grand Forks. She was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and took great joy in watching them grow. Jane was a wonderful gift to this world!

A special thank you to Sanford Hospital, Farmstead Estates, and Hospice of the Red River Valley for the excellent care Jane received. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: Hospice of the Red River Valley or UMCOR (Lithuania Project).