Janet Catherine Amlaner went to be with the Lord on July 9, 2024. She was a selfless wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend who shared the love of Christ with everyone she met.
She was born on April 7, 1937 to father Harry Prutzman, mother Hilda Griffin, and sister Barbara Ratzke Parks in Philadelphia. She was a true Philly girl and was raised to have a deep love of hoagies and the Mummers Ferko String Band. When she was 8 years old, she first became friends with her future husband Joseph Amlaner through Ferko. They later married, and after calling New Jersey and Delaware home for short times, they permanently relocated their family to Virginia in 1974.
Janet was a dedicated follower of Christ and actively lived out her faith. She was passionate about sharing the love of God, and did so tangibly when she found others in a time of need. She opened her home as a foster parent for 10 children and provided temporary safe housing for battered women. She was one of the earliest members of SERVE in Stafford County, founded in 1979 as a non-profit that addresses food insecurity and emergency financial relief.

Janet possessed a joy-filled spirit that lit up a room. She never knew a stranger and made many close friends during her life. She loved to play cards with friends and was a Lioness at Lake of the Woods where she lived for 37 years. She adored her husband Joe and some of her fondest memories are of dancing with him to the Jitterbug and loving on their grandchildren.

Janet was preceded in death by her faithful husband of more than 60 years, her sons John Matthew Amlaner and Joseph A. Amlaner, and her granddaughter Rachel Lee Swink. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: daughter Janet E. Swink (Vernon), and their three children: Vernon R. Jr. (Tiffany), Joseph C. (Jannah), Amanda E. Serpas (Raul); daughter: Jill A. (Timothy), and their two children: Scott M. (Amanda), Mary E. Seberas (Justin); daughter: Jacqueline M. (Alton), and their three sons: Dillon G. (Jackie), Garret D. (Madalyn), and Walker B; daughter-in-law: Elizabeth, and her children: Kevin C. (Chelsey), Karen E., and Kristen E.; and grandson John M. (Melissa). Janet is also survived by her 32 beautiful great-grandchildren, whom she loved to spend time with and prayed for daily.

A celebration of her life will be held at River of Life Worship Center, 7408 Patriot Hwy, Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA 22551 on July 19th at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Janet's honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.