Janet Bateman

Janet F. Bateman, of Fergus Falls, died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 101 on December 14, 2009, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, Minnesota of heart failure. Janet Spencer Fulton Bateman was born on January 28, 1908, in Oakes, North Dakota, the daughter of Ralph and Harriet (Spencer) Fulton.  Janet received undergraduate and graduate degrees in Nursing Education and Public Health Nursing from the University of Minnesota.  She was a Presbyterian missionary in Iran where she developed schools of nursing and served as a midwife from 1931 to 1954.  She was a public health nurse for Fillmore County in Preston MN, and a public health supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Health in Fergus Falls for many years.  There she married Clarence Bateman, a physician, in 1971.  She was active in the Federated Church & the camera club in Fergus Falls, MN. Janet’s life was an example of generous service and unconditional love for others. In every season she enjoyed the company of her friends, neighbors and family. Her door was always open for a visit with coffee and homemade brownies. For many years Nancy Lawson of Fergus Falls, also a public health nurse, was her best friend, and they went everywhere together. Janet was deeply devoted to her Lord. Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Clarence; sisters Margaret Spencer and Ruth Wilson, and brother John Fulton. She is survived by her nephews, John Wilson (Sheryl), Antioch, CA; Ralph Wilson (Jean), Loomis, CA; Dix Fulton (Barb), Issaquah, WA; Robert Fulton (Karyn), St. Cloud, MN, and grand nieces and nephews; members of Clarence’s family which she adopted as her own:  daughter Dorothy Sperling, Fergus Falls; grandchildren Daniel Sperling (Paula Frazee), Fargo, ND; Douglas Sperling (Marsha), Dalton, MN; David Sperling (Carol), Big Lake, MN; Diana Richards (Bruce), Sedalia, CO; foster daughter Barbara (Louis) Wohlwend, Lidgerwood, ND; grandchildren Roger (Jennifer) Wohlwend; Janice Wohlwend; JoAnne Williams (Greg); Leo Wohlwend (Patricia); Clayton Wohlwend (Mary Jo). A Memorial Service will be held on December 22, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at The Federated Church in Fergus Falls.  Interment will be at Park River Cemetery, Park River, ND.  Memorials are preferred to Federated Church or Quiet Oaks Hospice House.  Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com