Daycare Owner, Mother of Two Dies After Seven-year Battle with Cancer

Northfield native Jan Dillon died on Sunday, Sept. 08, 2013 at her home. 

Dillon was born on June 16, 1954 in Northfield to Harold and Ila (Sherman) Oleson. After graduating from Northfield High School, she went to the University of Minnesota in Crookston.

In November of 1976 she married Michael Eugene Dillon at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield. They initially made their home in Richfield, where Dillon began her long career as an in-home daycare provider after the birth of her daughter, Kelly. 

The family moved back to Northfield in 1979, where Dillon continued her daycare business. She cared for Northfield children for 35 years. A number of children in her care grew up to be second-generation clients.

At leisure, Dillon loved reading, spending time with family and taking trips in the family's RV. She was also a devoted dog mom.

Dillon was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006. According to her loved ones, she "faced each one of her challenges with grace and dignity." 

"She has given those who knew and loved her, the true meaning of what it is like to 'fight for life,'" Her family writes.

She is preceded in death by her father, Harold.

Dillon is survived by her husband Mike; daughter, Kelly (Pete) Roehl of Northfield; son, Joe (Kristina) Dillon of Lonsdale; mother, Ila Oleson of Northfield; sisters, Judy Oleson of Apple Valley, Pam (Ken) Sholtz of Northfield; brother Tom (Jeanne) Oleson of Northfield; and grandchildren Levi, Jon, Karlea, Alanah, and Gunnar. 

Visitation will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 at the Bierman Funeral Home in Northfield. A funeral service will follow immediately after visitation at 7 p.m.