Janet Lee Csereszyne

Janet Lee Ann Cseresznye (Clark), age 76, lost her courageous battle with cancer on November 2, 2015 in Bastrop, Texas. Jan's memorial service will be held at the Capital of Texas Zoo on Friday, November 20, 2015 at 2pm. Jan loved the idea that her last act would be to help animals. Zoo address: 376A Jenkins Road, Cedar Creek. Maps and directions can be found at http://www.capitaloftexaszoo.org/Directions.html. Jan had great respect for the zoo, the owner and supported it as she was able. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations to the Capital of Texas Zoo. Donations can be made in person or online (http://www.capitaloftexaszoo.org/Donations.html). Those that knew her well know that Jan would feed an animal over receive a flower any day. Note that everyone who attends is warmly invited to tour the zoo after the service and there is no cost. This is Jan's gift to those she loved. Jan was born on October 4, 1939 in Floodwood, Minnesota to parents Vienna and Andy Clark and spent her childhood and teen years there. She was the oldest of four and dearly loved her parents and three siblings--Sharon, Judy, and Doug. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Floodwood where she was a talented majorette, Jan was approached by a representative from Glenwood Hills Nursing School. That event would change her life. She eventually practiced almost all kinds of nursing - psychiatric, chemical dependency, working with adolescents, emergency room, grief counseling, doctor's office, nursing home and home health nurse. She often remarked that nursing was the best job in the world and that she couldn't have asked for a more satisfying career. She nurtured and took care of people - both body and mind - for 58 years. When she was 19, Jan moved to Duluth, Minnesota and had three children, Joni Lee, Jeffrey Earl, and Michael Andrew. Jan married Gerald Joseph Cseresznye at First United Methodist Church on the hill in Duluth, Minnesota. Jan met Jerry when he was stationed at the Duluth Air Force base and they were eventually transferred to Austin, TX. While the family acclimated to Texas, Duluth, MN remained the city of Jan's heart. She especially missed the beauty of Lake Superior and snow skiing. Two things truly defined Jan Cseresznye. Her love of her family was first. She would do anything for her kids, grandkids, sister, family and friends. She didn't have a lot of money but she was quick to send a check out, slip some money to her grandkids or even take a loan when her kids fell on hard times. Her family came first and they were so blessed to have her. The other super special thing about Jan was the huge place in her heart that loved every animal on this planet. She gave money to save wild horses and burros, polar bears, the ASPCA, the Humane Society and so many more. Her final canine companion in her life was her dog Hobbit, who preceded her in death by a matter of months. Jan leaves her two cats, Sadie and Sergeant, in good hands. Jan is survived by her children Joni (Shunn) Mead, Jeff Shunn, Mike Cseresznye, Heather Cseresznye, Margie Shunn; grandchildren Stacey Stage (Alex), Tom Mead, Andrew Shunn, and Paige Shunn, sister Judy Clark, niece Tracy (Clark) Kolden (Dan) and nephew Todd Clark plus their children, grandchildren, her cousins and many dear friends. Jan is predeceased by husband Jerry Cseresznye, her parents Vienna and Andy Clark, sister Sharon Clark, and brother Doug Clark plus many beloved pets. A special thanks to Dr. Uyeki (Texas Oncology), Dr. David Pohl (pulmonologist), and Dr. David Terreson (cardiologist) for truly caring about Jan and giving her their time, care and attention. Also, thanks to the nurses and staff at Bastrop Nursing Center for their care in the last weeks of Jan's life. Thanks to Mary Jennings, a treasured friend and traveling companion who visited mom often. Thanks to all the special people at Bluebonnet Home Health including Carol Noble, Chuck Ryan and Lee Burt and so many more - Jan's working family. Thanks also to neighbors & friends Greg Rollie, John McGinley, Merle Holland and Pat King, who moved mountains to help Jan and her family during this hard time while feeding cats, cutting grass, creating a living estate sale, staging the house and more. Thanks to the rest of Jan's friends who are so special - Loura, Ann, Dena, Eva, Barbara and those names I forgot but Jan never will. And thanks to Manchaca United Methodist Church for their prayers for Jan and her family. Mom, grandma, sister, aunt, friend... we will love you always and forever. We miss you very much but are so happy that you are in a joyous place where pain is no more. Our loss is heaven's gain.