Janet Louise (Emmendorfer) Scholl died on November 23, 2023, at 69 years of age. Janet, or “Just Jan” as she strongly insisted, was born to Cornelius and Patricia (Guertin) Emmendorfer on December 14, 1953, in Flint, Michigan. Along with her parents and siblings, she spent much of her childhood in the company of her grandparents, Ralph and Annie Guertin, enjoying tea and biscuits or listening to the Detroit Tigers on the radio. In March of 1972, she met Ron Scholl, an Iowa transplant at a local watering hole in Flint. Three dates and 7 months later, they were married on October 11, 1972. The question of who proposed to whom is still undecided.

A life-long resident of Genesee County, Jan traveled the world through books, movies, and food because she didn’t like flying. She kept a binder full of menus, places she’d been or wanted to go and was always up to try a new international cuisine. She introduced her children to Thai, Indian and Ethiopian foods, among others. Jan had many hobbies and interests including music- from film soundtracks to top of the chart hits; books – trivia, comics, biography, and other non-fiction; films of all genres and most local sports, particularly the Tigers and Detroit Pistons, for whom she was a season ticket holder before and during the Bad Boys years. She was deeply creative in the kitchen, making bread faster than Ron could eat it and putting together vegetarian meals from one of many cookbooks in her collection and also in her craft room with enough ideas (and card-making supplies) to last a lifetime or three. Jan was also an avid runner, facing down the Bradley Hills in completing more than 25 Crim 10-milers plus countless other local races over the years.

One peek at her Facebook photo album will tell you that her grandchildren and being in the company of littles was her true happy place. Jan found immense pleasure finding and giving gifts to the littles in her life, friends and loved ones. From sticker sheets to big-ticket birthday items (although never wrapped), she rarely arrived someplace empty-handed, even preparing goodie bags for the neighbor kids. She filled the libraries of all her grandchildren hoping to instill the same love for reading she possessed. She read books like most people consume potato chips- by the handful! Jan was generous towards those with less as well – loading up a shopping cart for Toys for Tots every year, donating to the food bank regularly and probably giving more than we’ll ever know to charitable causes.

Jan is survived by Ron, her husband of 51 years, her children Courtney (Chris) Schrader, Ben (Johanna) Scholl and Heather Hale along with seven grandchildren: Avanelle, Samuel, Genevieve, Aveline, Liberty, Chelsea, and Dylan. She is also survived by her brother Dennis (Gloria) Emmendorfer, nieces Amy (Malcolm) Schultz and Kayla Emmendorfer and nephew Artie Emmendorfer along with a host of other family, friends, and the friends of her children (and their children) she held close to her heart. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Nan Malcolm and brothers Bruce and Michael Emmendorfer.

In honor of Jan’s wishes, there will not be a traditional funeral service. Instead, the family plans to gather with friends and loved ones for a grand feast in her honor with a Sangria toast at a later date. Jan believed that the best memories were made around a table filled with good food and even better company.

To honor Jan’s memory, please consider a contribution to Doctors Without Borders (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/), the National Scleroderma Foundation (https://scleroderma.org/) or your local animal rescue or shelter. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Jan’s Tribute Wall at detroitcremationsociety.com

Jan’s obituary was written by her loving family.