Janet Ruth Gatjen
October 12, 1947 - December 2, 2023
Kingwood, Texas

Janet Ruth Gatjen, of Kingwood, Texas, passed away Saturday, December 2, 2023 in Humble, Texas, after several months of illness. Her husband, Ed, her daughter, Jennifer, and her sister, Carol were at her bedside.

Beloved wife of 52 years to Edward F. Gatjen, loving mother to Jennifer Ruth Serrano (Carlos) and loving grandmother to Haiden Edward Serrano; Janet was preceded in death by her parents, the late Marjorie Ruth and George Paton Moloney and her mother-in-law, the late Johanna (Joan) Gatjen. Janet is also survived by her loving sister Carol Paton Kreamer (Cyrus, Jr) and brother George Paton Moloney, Jr. (Billie Dee); beloved aunt to Kristin, Pete, Mackenzie, and Cassie, great aunt to Celia, Jake, Paton, Bailey, Billy & Mikey. She loved all her Moloney cousins, Doris, Evelyn, Peggy, Louis, Harry & Dick, and their spouses; her Frie cousins Cynthia, Barbara and George; and was a friend to many, especially high school and college classmates Donna Pio and Darlene Shepherd, Bee friends, Glenna Bagley and Barbara Reavis from her Quilting Bee (SEW BEE ITS), and friends from church.

Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Janet grew up attending Millville, NJ public schools K-12. A member of National Honor Society, she graduated from Millville Senior High School with honors in 1966. Janet then attended Glassboro State Teachers College to earn her BA degree in elementary education. Janet was a pianist and loved music. As a young adult, Janet directed the youth choir at Second United Methodist Church in Millville, NJ. After a brief time as a teacher, Janet married Ed Gatjen, and they lived in Trenton, NJ, where she looked after her elderly grandfather, George Frie, and their daughter, Jennifer. Janet became a full-time mother & homemaker until Jennifer was in school, and Janet worked in a stationery store in Trenton, perfect for Janet, the "Card Lady".

In 1984 Ed's job took Janet and her family to Kingwood, Texas. After a stint working in the local library, Janet then took a position at ‘The Music Stand’, a local music store owned by two members of then Kingwood United Methodist Church. Ironically the owners’ names were Janet and Carol...much like the names she was accustomed to answering (Janet & Carol, her sister). Janet directed the Kingwood United Methodist Church youth bell choir, teaching young ringers. She was also a member of Strike Point, a community bell choir.

Janet was an avid quilter from the time daughter Jennifer was young. She developed into an award-winning quilter and belonged to 'SEW BEE ITS' Quilting Bee in the Kingwood area and was a member of the Quilt Guild for years. Her many quilts will be on display at the church.

Janet loved visiting family around the country, traveling St. Louis, MO, to her brother George's near Albany NY, and back to her hometown Millville for her 50th MSHS reunion visiting with former classmates.

Janet loved Christmas. As Ed says, Janet WAS Christmas! She quilted more Christmas wall hangings than any other holiday wall hangings. Many friends and relatives have one or more in their own homes. Throughout the year, Janet collected special gifts for her family members at home and in Missouri and New York. Every year her brother and sister's families would gather on Christmas eve or Christmas day, waiting until everyone was there to open “the Janet box". What a time her family had, laughing together wondering how she knew a needed item, or a cool thing, or a “hmmm…what will I do with this”. Janet put time and thought into each gift. She’ll be missed.

Survivor information:
Husband Edward Frank Gatjen
Daughter Jennifer Ruth Serrano (Carlos)
Grandson Haiden Edward Serrano
Sister Carol Paton Kreamer (Cyrus, Jr)
Brother George Paton Moloney (Billie Dee)
Nieces & Nephews - Kristin (Robert) Lamprecht, Peter Kreamer, Mackenzie Moloney, and Cassie (Justin) Burd. Great nieces & nephews - Jacob & Bailey Kreamer, Celia & Paton Lamprecht, Billy & Mikey Jewell.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Janet Ruth Gatjen to:
The Society of St. Stephen 2307 Crystal Springs Dr, Kingwood, TS 77339 Info at https://kingwoodumc.org/society-of-st-stephen-service-from-the-heart/
The Oaks of Righteousness - Humble, Texas
P O Box 1731, Humble, TX 77347 Info at oaksofrighteousness.org


Scheduled Ceremonies:
Celebration of Life: 10 am Friday, December 15, 2023
Kingwood Methodist Church, 1799 Woodland Hills Dr, Kingwood, TX 77339
11 am reception following service
1 pm interment at Rosewood Memorial Park, 2602 S. Houston Ave, Humble, TX 77396
If going to the interment, park your vehicle in the area marked, then follow directions of escort to the cemetery at Rosewood Memorial Park.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made in memory of Janet Ruth Gatjen to:
The Society of St. Stephen,2307 Crystal Springs Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339
Info at https://kingwoodumc.org/society-of-st-stephen-service-from-the-heart/
The Society of St. Stephen provides food, clothing and limited financial assistance with utilities and medication to residents in their service area at no cost to the client.

The Oaks of Righteousness - Humble, Texas
P O Box 1731, Humble, TX 77347
Info at oaksofrighteousness.org
The Oaks of Righteousness is a non-profit, faith-based, residential facility that offers support for female ex-offenders who desire to make positive life changes and become productive members of society.