Janette "Jan" Diane Lakas

Jan, as her close friends knew her, was born to Robert and Rose Arnold in Washington, DC, on July 31st, 1949. She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, teacher, grandmother (known as “Nan” to her grandchildren), neighbor, and friend to everyone she met, always interacting with love, curiosity, kindness, generosity, grace, selflessness, and joy. “Precious”, “Wonderful Friend”, “A Treasure”, “Kindest person I’ve ever met”, “Lover of people”, “A Delight”, were some of the words used by others to describe her.

She was the kind of person that listened, making someone feel like they were the only one in the room and their story was important, because she understood that it was. She loved to spend time with her family, including her three children and six grandchildren. She was a caretaker and a natural nurturer at heart.

Jan attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL, and for a season worked at Disney World. Jan married Joe on November 14th, 1970, and they were together for 52+ years of marriage. She began her professional career teaching elementary school and spent most of her career teaching preschool at Calvary Church and Little Church on the Lane in Charlotte. She loved learning and discovery, and never lost her childlike wonder. She impacted and allowed herself to be impacted by the many little ones and their families she taught, often tagged as their “Favorite Teacher!” Jan would spend hours at night developing creative lesson plans to help nurture the development of her students. She taught Sunday School for many years as an active member of Our Savior Lutheran in Birmingham, AL and then Grace Lutheran in Charlotte, NC, serving in many roles to encourage the mission of the church. In her free time, she would spend hours catching up with friends in person or on the phone and write encouraging letters to her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family and seeing beautiful places with them. While she did not love driving, she would frequently ferry her children and later her grandchildren to their “important” events, always with joy. Jan loved to read, often surrounding herself with stacks of books she would share with others. Joni Eareckson Tada, one of Jan’s favorite authors, also suffered from a serious medical condition most of her life, and Jan found much comfort in Joni’s perspectives.

Jan and her family are indebted to God’s grace to them through many special friends and family that supported them through Jan’s struggles.

Jan is survived by her husband Joseph Lakas Jr, her brother Ross Arnold, her children, and their spouses, Jennifer and Brad Austin, Joanna and Jeff Wise, and John and Natalie Lakas, her grandchildren, Graham Austin, Colton Wise, Brooks Austin, Dallon Wise, Madeline Austin, and Beckham Wise, her brother-in-law and spouse Barry and Bitsy Lakas, nephew and spouse Scottie and Colby Lakas, grandniece and grandnephew, Hadley and Wyatt Lakas, and a wonderful caregiver Leslie.

In lieu of flowers or a gift, the family asks a donation be made to:

Christian Family Solutions

Wisconsin Lutheran Child & Family Service, Inc.

W175 N11120 Stonewood Drive

Germantown, WI 53022-6511

This organization serves people and families struggling with mental health needs.

A service will be held on Tuesday, July 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Grace Lutheran Church, 7000 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28226. Everyone is welcome to wear cheerful or joyful colors to the service. The family would love for guests to join them for lunch and a reception after the service, at the church.

“Love is extravagant in the price it is willing to pay, the time it is willing to give, the hardships it is willing to endure, and the strength it is willing to spend. Love never thinks in terms of ‘how little,’ but always in terms of ‘how much.’ Love gives, love knows, and love lasts.”

— Joni Eareckson Tada

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com for the Lakas family.