Janean Ann Bierstedt was born on October 24, 1942, on the family farm near Fenton, Iowa, to Raymond and Lola (Frye) Zwiefel. She died on Sunday, September 20, 2026. She grew up alongside her brothers Kenley, Jerome, Daryle and Joel in a home shaped by hard work, faith and the steady rhythm of rural life. As a child she not only helped with household chores but also worked in the field, milked cows and took on the outdoor tasks that shaped her into the dedicated, hardworking person her family and community knew so well.
She graduated from Sentral High School and continued her education at Emmetsburg Community College, earning her two year teaching certificate. Janean began her teaching career in the Pocahontas Area Schools and later at Cylinder Schools, teaching in the elementary grades.
During this time, she married her longtime family friend, Larry Bierstedt, on January 29, 1967, at the United Methodist Church in Fenton. They made their home on the Bierstedt family farm north of Fenton, where they raised their children and worked side-by-side through the seasons of farm life.
While raising her young family, Janean continued teaching as well as her education. She earned her bachelor's degree in education from Mankato State, taking her two young children with her for the week long stretches of classes. To let Larry know she made it to Mankato, she called the farm and let it ring once rather than spend the money for a long distance call. Her drive to further her education led her to night classes, weekend courses and summer sessions, ultimately completing her master's degree in education from Iowa State University in 1982.
Janean taught elementary in the Pocahontas, Ringsted and Emmetsburg schools. She was also an instructor for Mary Crest College. She always called her students "Her Kids," and she meant it. Her care for them was genuine and lasting, even buying winter gear for those that could not afford it. She always remembered her kids as adults, often following them into their careers.
Larry and Janean travelled extensively both with their children and alone. They vacationed every summer for a week as a family across the United States, Canada and Mexico. She was in awe of her collection of spoons from nearly every state.
Janean served her local community in many ways. After retirement from teaching, she was an EMT for twenty years and served as Fenton Ambulance Director for the majority of that time. She played the organ at the United Methodist Church in Fenton and served as a visitation hostess for Henry-Olson Funeral Home. Janean was committed to helping others and approached every responsibility with calm, capable dedication.
Janean had a deep appreciation for local history. She co‑authored A Good Town for a Home Town, written for the Fenton Centennial. She wrote the book Answering the Call, a collection of letters and communication between World War II soldiers and their families from the Fenton, Iowa area. Both works reflected her commitment to preserving the stories of the people and place she loved.
In her "spare time" she enjoyed making quilts, clothing, crocheting, reading, gardening, canning and tending her flowers. Her hands were always busy with something meaningful, all while spending time with and caring for her grandchildren.
Janean is survived by her children, Michael Bierstedt and his wife Amy, and Amy Marlow and her husband Mike. She leaves behind grandchildren Camaron, Caley, Austin with wife Rachel, Olivia, Aly, Maci with husband Carter, Kaitlyn and Christian. Her great grandchildren are Charlie, Reagan, Everett, Lola, Olive and Marlo, with Austin and Rachel's baby expected in February.
She is also survived by her brothers and their wives: Kenley and Mavis Zwiefel, Daryle and Barbara Zwiefel, and Joel and Linda Zwiefel. She is survived as well by her sister-in-law Barbara Zwiefel.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Bierstedt, her parents Raymond and Lola Zwiefel, her brother Jerome Zwiefel, Larry's parents Clarence and Clara Bierstedt, her brother-in-law Clarence Bierstedt, her sister-in-law Phyllis Dreyer.
Janean lived a life of service, faith and quiet strength. She gave her time, her energy and her heart to her family, her students and her community. Her legacy is one of kindness, commitment and love.
Online condolences may be left for Janean’s family at HenryOlsonFuneral.com
