Janet YeVonne (Williamson) Register, age 84, passed away Monday, April 22, 2024, at the
Albert Lea Good Samaritan Center where she had resided the past 2 months. Janet was
born February 4, 1940, in Grayson (Carter County), Kentucky. She loved her Kentucky
heritage, and had many stories to tell. When Janet was about 5, she moved for a short
time with her family to Ohio, and thereafter landed in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She
attended Albert Lea Public Schools.
In 1956 Janet married Edward (Tudy) Williamson in Albert Lea. They divorced 22 years
later. Together they had 6 children. Janet dedicated many years to being a stay-at-home
mom. She also worked in various restaurants, spent 10 years working in the Wilson
Foods plant, and in her later work years, she worked the night audit in some local motels,
where she was held up at gun point/knife point, on more than one occasion.
Janet was married from 1982-1989 to Keith Leslie Register.
Janet was a believer in the 2nd amendment and took great care in ensuring her
grandchildren, when they were old enough, went with her to gun training. Janet was a
great cook and baker, and loved to cook for people. And pies were a specialty. She
thoroughly enjoyed reading cookbooks, especially old church cookbooks. Janet lived
a simple life and she didn’t ask for much. She put great thought into decisions she
made. She loved deeply. And she loved family gatherings. Janet was a member of Bridge
Community Church.
Janet is survived by her 6 children: Myrna Wegner, Edward Williamson (Sheila Hanson),
Maureen (Michael) Gilbertson, Tim (Kim) Williamson, Michelle Bendickson and Ted
Williamson; 22 Grandchildren: Josh (Anne) Wilke, Sarah (Chad) Gehring, Matt (Krista
Johnson) Williamson, Phil (Betsy Reed) Williamson, Nicole Josh) Wegner, Carrie
Gilbertson, Leah (Theo) Jacobsen, Trouper Gilbertson, Chad (Brielle) Gilbertson, Izabelle
Thostenson, Edward Gilbertson, Jessariah Gilbertson, Milania Gilbertson, Myssiah
Gilbertson, Jaylani Gilbertson, Jessica (Kevin) Dreyling, Jeremiah (Kristy) Williamson,
Jennifer (Brandon) Wolf, Jamie Williamson, Rachel (Daniel) Neri, Christina Williamson,
and Cody Williamson; 23 great-grandchildren, and is expecting a 24th great-grandchild in
July. Also surviving Janet are her sisters: Patricia (Alan) Jepson; Sonya Paulson and
Brenda Parry, as well as many, many precious nieces, and nephews.
Janet is preceded in death by her mother: Louise Margaret (Shaffer) (O’Rourke) Seedorf,
Father: Orville Michael O’Rourke, Sister: Geneva O’Rourke, First husband: Edward
Williamson, Second husband: Keith Register, daughter-in-law: Kari Williamson,
brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Robert Parry, Donald and Evelyn Williamson, Dayton
and Margaret Williamson, Marlys and Don Janssen, Dick and Mary Williamson; great-
granddaughters: Janna Jacobsen and Sadie Gilbertson.
A funeral service will be held at Bridge Community Church on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. with visitation from 12-2 p.m. at the church. Pastor Clayton Balsley will be officiating.
After food and fellowship, Janet will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery.
