Obituary of Janna Alaina Van Santen

VAN SANTEN: Janna Alaina Van Santen was born on May 10, 1996 in Brandon, MB, she passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on October 16, 2018, at just 22 years of age. The second she arrived into this world her parents Arnold and Carla wrapped their arms around her and never let go! Her older sister Julianne formed a bond with her that grew in strength at each passing day and year after year. Janna attended Fleming School from K-3, then Earl Oxford from grades 4-8. From the moment she stepped into her very first classroom everyone knew this sweet girl had a sense of humor like no other, pranks became her specialty. Her amazing sense of humor and laughter followed her throughout life. Janna chose Crocus as the high school for her. She felt comfortable the moment she walked through the front doors. She also enrolled in the Cosmetology Program and received Honors for this upon her graduation in June, 2014. She always said that she had unforgettable teachers and made "forever friends". Growing up Janna was very active; she took skating lessons, swam with the Bluefins, enjoyed skiing, danced at "Steppin" Time Dance Studio and enrolled in several types of classes such as tap, jazz, point, lyrical, hip hop and her favorite ballet. Janna also spent a summer with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School. She tried her hand at boxing, but found her true passion in bodybuilding. She trained at various gyms, Squash Club, Defined Lines and Fitness Quest, but found her "home" gym at Anytime Fitness. Some days she would be found in the "wee" hours of the morning doing cardio or late at night getting in "one more" workout! Janna stayed active and showed off her fearless side during many family vacations. At Disney World she would go down the tallest water slides or the fastest roller coaster with the steepest drop or the Tower of Terror where the floor drops out and she would free fall many stories below. Janna also visited St. Maarten and St. Thomas in the Caribbean while aboard a cruise ship and vacationed at Vegas, Niagara Falls, Wisconsin Dells and several U.S. states. In Canada she visited most provinces except the east coast. These holidays were special because it was the memories she created with her family. After high school Janna enrolled in the Construction Electrician program at A.C.C. Upon completion of her pre-employement year she was excited and proud that Prairie Electric hired her. They put her to work assembling solar panels. She loved her job, she didn't care if she got muddy, dirty or was cold and tired. She loved every minute of her work and never complained. Janna is predeceased by her Gran Ellen Antonation, Opa and Oma John and Kathy Van Santen. Left to mourn are her Grandpa Jack Antonation, Brandon; Uncle Glenn (Aunt Kelly), Winnipeg, cousins, Logan, Morgan (Jeff) Ephraim and Abram, Winnipeg; Uncle Allan (Aunt Debbie) and cousins Hannah, Connor, Logan, Brandon; Uncle John (Aunt Linda), Brandon, cousins Eric (Bobbi), Emma, Winnipeg, Nicole (Lilian) Lesponges, Brandon; Keith, Calvin and Brett, Brandon. Thank-you to friends, neighbors and co-workers for keeping our family in your thoughts! Thank you to the staff at Brockie Donovan, especially Jeremy Lancaster and Kelly Lumbard and to the ladies who provided the luncheon. A special thanks to Pastor Wittmeier and Janna's Uncle Glenn who read the eulogy and the letters from the family. Lastly, thank you to each and every family member for your unbelievable support during this difficult time. Saying Janna was beautiful would be an under-statement! She had the bluest eyes and a brilliant smile. She captivated a room when she would walk through the doors, but it was her kind heart and sweet nature plus her unbelievable sense of humor that made everyone want to get to know her more. She will be missed by many! Our family has an emptiness, a profound sadness, our hearts forever broken. You will never be forgotten, You will always be loved. We have so many happy memories of you. Hugs and kisses forever! Mom, Dad, Juli (and your baby cat!) To view the video tribute please click on the Photos & Videos section of this page.