Janet Lee Childress

Janet was born to Otis and Adeline Wheeler of Carlos, MN on July 30, 1938. She was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carlos, MN. After receiving her teaching certificate from Concordia Lutheran College in St. Paul, MN in 1958, she taught for several years at a Lutheran parochial school in Grand Rapids, MI. While vacationing in Miami, FL in the summer of 1959, Janet met Air Force Sergeant Thomas Childress from Jackson, TN and following a year long, long distance courtship, Janet and Tom were married at Trinity Lutheran Church on July 10, 1960. Janet and Tom lived for several years in Leisure City, FL near Homestead AFB where their first son Steven Ray Childress was born in December 1963. They were then transferred to Grand Forks AFB in ND, where Ryan Paul Childress was born in August 1965. Additionally, Janet completed her BS in Education at the University of North Dakota. They moved to San Antonio, TX in October 1967, where Tom was stationed at Randolph AFB. In April 1971, Ryan Paul died following open-heart surgery, but in June 1971 their youngest son Jason Thomas Childress was born. During this time, Janet worked as a home preschool and public elementary school teacher. She was an active member of Beitel Memorial Lutheran Church serving as an organist, choir director, and women’s bible study leader. After transferring to Gunter AFB in Montgomery, AL in the fall of 1974, Janet and Tom returned to San Antonio, TX in June 1977, where Janet continued her teaching career as a GED instructor and elementary teacher at several Christian parochial schools. During their retirement years, Janet and Tom enjoyed spending time with their four grandchildren and traveling around the country in their RV. Janet will always be remembered for her unwavering devotion to her family and friends, leading women’s bible studies, intercessory prayer, and most importantly sharing the love of Jesus with her neighbors.

Janet is preceded in death by parents Otis and Adeline Wheeler; sisters Joann Dauner and Judy Longfellow; son Ryan Childress; and grandson Timothy Childress.

Janet is survived by her husband of 65 years Thomas Childress; son Steven Childress; daughter-in-law Joan Childress; granddaughters Sarah and Julia Childress; son Jason Childress and daughter-in-law Cindy Childress; granddaughter Megan Childress and grandson Peyton Childress; nieces Tami Machtemes and Christy Dauner; nephew Bobby Longfellow and niece Martha Golby.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home with Pastors Scott Jensen and Dale Brynestad officiating. A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, TX.

The family of Janet wishes to extend our sincere thanks to her devoted home caregivers Joann Alvarez, Diana Martinez, Isabel Moncivais and Alice Garcia.