Obituary of Janice Johnson
A memorial service for Janice Johnson, age 83, of Spirit Lake, will be held at 11 am, Saturday, February 25, 2023, at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Visitation will begin at 9:30 am until service time at the funeral home. Interment will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake.
Janice Kay (Michels) Johnson was born on July 23, 1939 in Spencer, IA to Francis and Rosie (Johnson) Michels. She died on Feb 17, 2023 in Spirit Lake, IA at the age 83 years. Growing up Janice lived in Lake Park, Everly and Linn Grove, IA. She enjoyed basketball in her younger years. She participated in the one-act play, sang in the glee club, worked on the newspaper staff and was one of the student librarians. She received awards in typing, journalism, glee club and librarian. She was on the honor roll all four years of high school and graduated from Linn Grove High School in 1957. Her senior year she received the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow Award.
After graduation, she moved to Spirit Lake where she rented a room from Pat and Alma Ladegaard. She got a job at a bank where she worked as a bank teller. It was at the bank where she met Bruce Johnson. She married the love of her life Bruce on June 17, 1961 at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, IA. This union was blessed with three children, Kathy, Brian and Keith.
Janice donated many volunteer hours to various organizations during her adult years such as the American Legion Auxiliary, helped with judging of 4-H projects, taught Sunday school and assisted with the Presbyterian Youth Club. Her favorite pastimes were reading, cooking and sewing. Her children declare her as “one heck of a cook” and remember lunches when dad was in the field. Lunch typically included hamburgers adorned with her homemade pickles, on white bread, and wrapped in waxed paper. The meal was served picnic style and included homemade chocolate milkshakes. They never had a bad meal and fondly remember Saturday night homemade pizza and being able to eat with the TV trays as they watched Hee Haw and Lawrence Welk. She loved Jesus and her family with all her heart and was generous to all who knew her. Her generosity took many forms, it could have been making a homemade pie for a funeral, sending a handwritten letter to someone in need of uplifting or becoming a secret pal to a little girl who wanted to get a letter in the mail. Jan touched the hearts of many.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Rosie Michels; siblings, Mary Michels (sister), Clarice Johnson (sister), Johnny Johnson (brother-in-law), Gary Michels (brother), Pauline Michels (sister-in-law); and niece Mindee Wilcox.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 62 years, Bruce Johnson; children, Kathy (Rick) Kleen, Spirit Lake, IA, Brian (Linda) Johnson, Odeboldt, IA, and Keith Johnson Spirit Lake, IA; four grandchildren, Matt Johnson Omaha, NE, Kaylene Johnson, Odeboldt, IA, Taylor(Cole) Schultz, Odeboldt, IA and Emily (Ben) Larsen Estherville, IA; seven great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Addison Johnson, Beckett Johnson, Kyleigh and Karson Schultz, Mya and Kendall Larsen; brother, Lee (Waunell) Michels, Walnut Creek, CA; sister Donna (Richard) Kruger, Rapid City, SD, and brother, David (Melissa) Michels, Fullerton, CA and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please give to one of your own cherished causes in Janice’s name or send a donation to an organization that Jan and Bruce faithfully supported:
Midwest Christian Services
4509 20th Avenue
Peterson, IA 51047
