Janet K. Cudd

With profound love and gratitude, our family celebrates the life of Janet Katherine Wells Cudd, who peacefully passed away in her family home on December 3rd, 2025.

Born on May 18th, 1931, Janet was the tenth child of Archibald Pearson Yard Wells and Nellie Linnie (Owen) Wells. Growing up as one of eleven children helped shape her into the strong, kind, and resilient woman she would become. Life demanded courage early- when her mother passed away, Janet was only 14. She moved into the home of Francis and Ann Brenner, where she cared for their elderly father and youngest child in exchange for room and board. Even then, her instinct was to serve, to love, and to give more than she ever asked for herself.

In the fall of 1946, Janet met the love of her life, Paul Cudd, when he returned from service and began farming with his father. Their story began in a small Ellsworth café, where Janet worked while finishing high school- and where Paul, handsome in his reindeer sweaters and leather jacket, would come to see her.

Janet graduated high school and moved to St. Paul to work at Brown & Bigelow before Paul convinced her to return home so they could marry. On Thanksgiving Day, 1948, at 17 years old, she married the man who would become her lifelong partner. Their wedding at the Lutheran Church in Red Wing was small by design- but in true Cudd fashion, the whole family showed up. It was the beginning of a marriage built on devotion, work ethic and faith.

After marrying, Janet and Paul began their life together in the upstairs of the Cudd family farm in Beldenville. They welcomed their first children while navigating long days, lean years, and the joyful chaos that would soon define the Cudd household. Paul traded livestock for their first piece of excavating equipment, working tirelessly to build a business.

Eventually, they moved to River Falls and purchased their first home at 323 N Falls Street, where Janet, Paul, their seven children, and her father Archie all lived together- ten people in a 3-bedroom house. Life was busy, messy, beautiful, and full of memories. Sunday mornings meant getting everyone ready for church. Summers meant wet towels and endless trips to Glen Park and the pool.

Later, Janet and Paul bought the land where the family home still stands today- their dream property. Uncle Herb built their house and they made it a home. Paul added an in-ground pool to create a welcoming gathering spot for their kids, grandkids and the neighborhood. But he didn’t stop there—he went on to build a full outdoor playground, all set against the backdrop of the South Fork “Pete’s Crick” flowing through the front yard.

After the kids were raised, Janet decided to begin PR’s Catering with her dear friend Audrey Black Alton. Her sister Lucille and LaVaughn Tronnier made up the team that ran the kitchen, cranking out wonderful food and excellent service for all. “Feed the people” was her mentality, and she made sure no one ever went without—especially her children & grandchildren. They cherish countless memories of sharing home-cooked meals with her, baking Christmas cookies, or helping make her famous “Popcorn Wreaths.”

Janet lived a life devoted to her family, church, friends, and anyone who needed a meal, a ride, a place to stay, or a steady voice of encouragement. She was strong, humble, witty, and faithful. She believed in hard work, in doing things the right way, in not buying what you couldn’t pay cash for, and she believed in never giving up when life got difficult.

Paul & Janet’s time was spent with close friends dancing at the Lamp Light Supper Club, playing cards, going to parties & costume parties, and to local sporting events. Janet had the best Bridge Club of gals named the “Lil’ Honey’s”, which included a lot more fun than just cards - great friends till the end.

Then they found Florida, and vacationing there turned into buying their little slice of heaven. Florida brought them a lot of joy and special time spent together. They would pack up their lunch and head to the beach to spend the day, searching for shells, reading a good book, or having a nice stroll along the water… and so much more!

She leaves behind a legacy of love that spans generations- her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and newly great-great grandchildren, and all who were blessed to call her Mom, Grandma, Big Grandma or friend.

Even in her final years, her heart remained full of gratitude. She often expressed how blessed she felt for the time spent with family, and how deeply she cherished every visit, story, and hug. Her life was a true reflection of God’s grace, and her legacy will continue to shape the lives she touched.

Janet is preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul, son-in-law Robert Kolashinski, her parents, and 10 siblings, Eva Kyllo (Floyd), Geraldine DeGross (Hank), Charles (Joyce) Wells, Grenfall (Fern) Wells, Lemuel (Evelyn) Wells, Marion (Wilbur) Dunn, Theresa (Charles) Tutton, Lucille (Bernard) Fink, Eugene (Elaine) Wells, and her loving younger brother Darrell Wells.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Toby Goldstein Wells.

Children: Randy (Vonnie) Cudd, Jeff Cudd, Pauly (Debbie) Cudd, Roxanne Kolashinski, Jill (Mark) Sutter, Penny (Todd) Keith, Jana (Randy) Feyereisen.

Grandchildren: Aaron (Tracey Slowiak) Cudd, Sara (Aaron) Curti, Adam (Mara Kohler) Cudd, Gina (Casey) Byron, Jeremy (Dana) Cudd, Isaac Cudd, Jennifer (Jeff) Edling, Josh (Jena Most) Cudd, Joe (Ami) Cudd, Jamie Hindahl, Courtney Olek, Meghan (Jacob) Olsen, Luke Sutter, Ali Sutter, Sophie Keith, Karli Keith, Tessa (Becca McInnis) Feyereisen, JP Feyereisen, and Jeremy (Meg) Jorgenson.

Great-grandchildren: Michael (Alyssa) Cudd, Marcus Cudd, Annabelle Curti, Austin Curti, Jonah Byron, Evan Byron, Claudia Byron, Liliana Cudd, Jada Irgens, Ryder Irgens, Jordyn Edling, Jakob Edling, Cole (Terese Carlson) Cudd, Sawyer Cudd, Maggie Cudd, Hannah Cudd, Maximus Cudd, Andon Hindahl, Tyler Hindahl, Kai Kolashinski, Lachlan Olsen, Haven Mae Olsen, Layla Jorgenson, Lily Jorgenson, and Jack Jorgensen.

Great-great grandchildren: Sunny Cudd and Stevie Cudd

Funeral Service for Janet will be Saturday, December 13th 12PM, Noon at Ezekiel Lutheran Church in River Falls. Visitation will be two hours prior at church Saturday morning. Burial will be in the Greenwood Cemetery. Services will be livestreamed to the Ezekial Lutheran Church YouTube page.

Memorials are preferred to the Ezekiel Lutheran Church “Faith”, River Falls Food Pantry “Feed The People”, and Feyereisen Foundation “Opportunities For All.”

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of River Falls. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.