Sheila Ann Jans, 88, of Henning, passed away on Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Henning.

She was born on March 25, 1938, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Gerold and Aurelia (Sullivan) Jans as their youngest child. Sheila graduated from Christ of King grade school and then Holy Angels Academy, where she then moved with her parents to Southern California in 1956. There she would continue her education by going to and graduating with high honors from St. Mary’s College in Los Angles, California with a bachelor’s degree in English. She then would continue her education at Long Beach State College, California, to earn her master’s degree in English. After graduating college, she became a teacher and taught English at Cornado Del Mars High School in Newport Beach, Calif., for 33 years until her retirement.

After retiring from teaching, Sheila returned to Minnesota and in 1997 she and her two friends moved to a lake home on Buchanan Lake in Ottertail. Everyone knew the three as the “Golden Girls.”

Sheila enjoyed reading, nature, Minnesota sports teams, coloring and traveling, from trips around the United States to many countries overseas. Her favorite time of the day was “the golden hours” when the setting sun would cast its rays across the lake. She also had a good sense of humor, and believed everyone should be a little crazy, at least once in a while as she believed it was good for the soul. She had a lovely smile and was also a strong believer in the Lord and her Catholic faith.

She is preceded in death by her parents Gerold and Aurelia Jans; her sisters Patricia Riese and Lois Burgess; her brother Micheal Jans; and her “golden girls” Mary Cook and Elaine Sokoloff.

She is survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Sheila’s Tribute Wall. Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Henning.