Janice Rae Arneson, age 74, passed away peacefully at home under hospice care on July 21, 2026.
Janice was born on June 29, 1952, to Judith Emma Barstad (Kjellerson). After losing her mother at only 11 years old, Janice was raised by her older sister, June. She grew up alongside June’s sons, Woodrow “Ernie” Barstad, Eric Olson, and Jerome “Jerry” Olson. Although they were technically her nephews, they were all close to Janice in age and grew up together more like siblings.
More than anything, Janice wanted to be a mother. She lived for her children and loved them deeply. In her final years, she lived at home surrounded by family, including her daughter Mary and son-in-law Matt, and her grandchildren Izabella, Rhys, and Brenton.
Janice loved reading romance novels and enjoying a good meal. She was stubborn, silly, and loving. Although she insisted she did not like animals, animals always seemed to love her anyway. She faced many medical challenges throughout her life with remarkable determination, including surviving cancer and the radiation and chemotherapy used to treat it.
Janice is survived by her daughters, Mary Arneson-Miller and Michelle Marie Ford (Arneson); her grandchildren, Brenton Leonard, Rhys Leonard, Izabella Rae Miller, Liliane Ford, James Ford, and Zayden Ford; her sister, June E. Olson; and other family members who will remember her with love.
Janice was cremated, and no services will be held. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by those whose lives she touched.