Janet M. Galligan

Janet M. Galligan, 92, of New Hampton, Iowa, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at New Hampton Nursing and Rehab Center with her devoted family by her side.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026, at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Rev. Chris Podhajsky celebrating the Mass.

Friends may greet the family an hour and a half prior to the Mass on Thursday at the church.

Janet Marion (Kamla) Galligan, daughter of Herman and Marie (Jonientz) Kamla—first generation immigrants from Germany—was born on March 23, 1934, at home in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Franklin High School at age 17 and started work for the telephone company.

In 1951, Janet met Ensign Charles (Chuck) Galligan (US Navy) at a dance in Bremerton, Washington, while he was on liberty from the USS Bon Homme Richard. After two years of courting via letter writing, they were joined in holy matrimony at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Seattle on May 2, 1953.

In 1954, they moved to Lawler, Iowa, for a brief time, then to New Hampton, where they spent the rest of their married years. Chuck died July 9, 2017, after 64 years of marriage.

Janet was an expert seamstress, crafter, and word puzzler. She was a force to be reckoned with when it came to playing cards and board games. Sewing was her love. Learning the trade in high school, she spent countless hours over the years making clothing for herself and her children, as well as doll clothes, suits for Chuck, Cabbage Patch dolls, and appliqued quilts for all her grandchildren.

She loved to travel and go camping. In 2000, Janet and Chuck bought a park model at  Winter Ranch RV retirement community in Alamo, Texas. She spent a total of 23 seasons at Winter Ranch, swimming daily, golfing, playing Mahjong, cards, and board games, as well as attending many social events.

Janet is survived by her children Wayne (Janice) Galligan of Richardson, Texas; Vince (Jackie) Galligan of Gladwin, Michigan; Pat (Mitch) Felder of Carthage, North Carolina; Ken Galligan of Denver, Iowa; Kathy (Steve) Johnson of Nashua, Iowa; Karen Meirick of Elma, Iowa; Dale (Dawn Ringham) Galligan of Mason City, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Chuck; grandson Jon Galligan; granddaughter Nikki Schluetter; son-in-law Roger Meirick; sister Joyce Schmidt; brother John Kamla; and in-laws Joseph and Florence (Underwood) Galligan.

Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton has been entrusted with Janet’s arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. Croix Hospice, 951 N Linn Ave, Ste 5, New Hampton, IA 50659 or the American Cancer Society.