11/02/2026
Claudia Jane Gundlach
Claudia Jane “Janie” Gundlach, passed into eternal life at her beautiful Farmington home on Sunday morning, November 1, 2026. Janie had been hospitalized since August and came home under hospice care prior to her passing.
Janie was born April 9, 1946, in Detroit, to the late Claude and Mary (Morrison) Cook. She was raised in Franklin from early childhood with her older sister Mary and twin brother Jim. They enjoyed playing in the neighborhood with community friends and spending time at Scottish highland games where Mary danced. She attended Franklin Elementary School and graduated from Groves High School in 1964. She continued her education at the University of Michigan, where she earned her undergraduate degree and later a master’s degree in library science.
Her years in Ann Arbor brought not only an education, but also lifelong friendships through Delta Delta Delta sorority—and an introduction to the love of her life, Richard “Rick” Gundlach, who worked as a busboy at her sorority house. It was the beginning of a relationship that would grow into 55 years of marriage. They were married May 25, 1968, at Franklin Community Church. After first making their home in Ann Arbor, they settled in Farmington, where they raised their three children and became deeply rooted in the community. Rick preceded her in death on April 16, 2024.
Janie began her career teaching middle school in Ann Arbor before becoming an elementary school librarian in Plymouth. With the arrival of her daughter, Katie, in 1975, she devoted herself to the role she treasured most: being a mother. She took great pride in her three children and made their care and upbringing the center of her life. As her children grew older, she returned to library work on a part-time basis, serving patrons at the Farmington Community Library’s branches and the Franklin Public Library.
The family’s historic home, purchased in 1978, was one of Janie’s greatest loves and accomplishments. Its meticulously cared-for rooms, gardens, and grounds reflected her energy, attention to detail, and appreciation for beautiful things. Her dedication to preserving the character of Farmington extended well beyond her own property. Through years of service on the Farmington Historical Commission, she helped protect the community’s history. Together, she and Rick restored other historic homes, including helping save one from demolition by having it relocated and renovated. For Janie, these efforts were an investment in the town she loved and the history she believed deserved to endure.
Above all, Janie understood what it meant to be a good neighbor. Kind, sociable, and welcoming, she greeted newcomers with muffins or cookies, checked on older residents, and made time to stop and ask how someone was doing. During the holiday season, Janie was busy in the kitchen baking shortbread, which she shared with friends and family. She brought people together through neighborhood coffees before the Memorial Day parade, holiday luminaries she helped establish, and Christmas caroling that often began at her home. Her thoughtful gestures and ready conversation turned neighbors into friends and helped make her corner of Farmington feel like home to so many.
Janie was a devoted mother to Katie, Ricky and Robbie, holding mother-daughter tea parties at the house, attending Ricky’s soccer games, and Robbie’s swim meets and piano recitals. That same devotion shone in her life as a grandmother. Janie delighted in Ian, Alison, Veronica, and Trey, taking an active interest in their lives and lending a hand whenever she could. Whether helping with rides to activities and summer camps, cheering from the sidelines at soccer games, or enjoying dance and piano recitals, she cherished being present for them.
Determined and hardworking, Janie followed through on the things that mattered to her. Yet it is her warmth that family and friends will remember most—the smile, the friendly greeting, and the way she made others feel noticed and cared for. Even during her recent health challenges, she continued to share that kindness with those caring for her. In her final days, she returned to the home she loved, where she enjoyed visits with loved ones and closest friends before her passing.
Surviving are her three devoted children, Katie (Kevin) Stewart, Ricky (Paulette) Gundlach, and Robbie Gundlach; four cherished grandchildren, Ian and Alison Stewart, and Veronica and Trey Gundlach; her siblings, Mary (Bill) Valpey and Jim (Bonnie) Cook; her brother-in-law, Terry (Teri) Gundlach; her sister-in-law, Carol (the late Gary) Bielaniec; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.
Family and friends may gather for visiting hours at the Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home in downtown Farmington on Friday, November 6, from 3-7 pm.
Janie will be interred following a private ceremony at Franklin Cemetery, Franklin.
Memorial tributes are kindly suggested to World Vision.
Janie leaves a lasting legacy in the family she nurtured, the friendships she sustained, and the neighborhood she made warmer through a lifetime of kindness.
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