Janice Gietzen

Minot

Janice Gietzen, 80, of Minot, ND, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, after a lengthy battle with dementia and a brief struggle with cancer.

Janice Ilene Thompson was born on January 21, 1944, in Finley, ND, to Arthur and Lillian (Moe) Thompson. Janice moved with her family to Garrison, ND, in 1950. She graduated from Garrison High School in 1962, and Minot State University in 1966, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Physical Education.

Janice met the love of her life, Darrel Gietzen, at Terrace Lanes in Wahpeton, ND. After a three-month whirlwind romance, they married on August 12, 1967. At that time, she taught 4th grade in Breckinridge, MN. Darrel’s job with the bowling alley brought them to Minot in 1970, where they welcomed their daughter Melissa in 1971. Janice chose to be a stay-at-home mom, dedicating herself to her family. Eight years later, in 1979, their son Michael joined the family.

Once Michael started school, Janice returned to education and was a substitute teacher for Minot Public Schools for 10 years. In 1994, she began teaching 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade at Eureka, where she also served as principal until its closure in 2011. She loved her Little Red School House, and the families that attended there. It was her pride and joy. Her last few years of teaching were spent at Lewis & Clark Elementary, until her retirement in 2014 at the age of 70. She cherished the friendships she made while there.

Janice enjoyed bowling. She and Darrel were in a couple’s league with her sister Lois, and brother-in-law, Chris. She also bowled in several tournaments across the United States with her mom and four sisters. They called themselves, Lil’s Lofters. Janice loved to play pinochle and enjoyed countless visits around the kitchen table with friends and neighbors. She also enjoyed bingo and pull tabs on Friday nights. She treasured the good times and the friends she shared those nights with. Ryan was the apple of his grandmother’s eye. She often shared how proud she was of him. Janice was known as “Mama Gietz” and was the cheerleader in charge for Michael’s softball and bowling teams. In recent years, her days were spent watching Fox News as she always had “to know what was going on in the world.”

With a kind heart, quick wit, and a stubborn air about her, she was always willing to give an opinion, wanted or not, stuck up for what was right, and no matter what, put her family and friends first.

Janice is survived by her daughter, Melissa (Chris Jones), her son, Michael; daughter-in-law, Stacey, and grandson, Ryan (Rachael Ashley). She is also survived by her sister, Myrna Spoon of Everett, WA, her sisters-in-law, Sylvia Thompson of Washburn, ND, Elaine (Alan) Streitmatter of Polson, MT, Joan (Gary) Weiand of Glen Ullin, Phyllis (Michael) Mackey of Davenport, FL, Maxine Schmautz, Fargo, ND, Karen Gietzen, Bismarck, ND, and Debbie Gietzen, Mandan, ND; her brothers-in-law, Duane Bjornson of Anchorage, AK, Chris Olson of Garrison, ND, Mick (Barb) Gietzen of Dent, MN, Mark (Deb) Gietzen of Bismarck, ND, and Keith (Sherrie) Gietzen of Glen Ullin, ND, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Arthur and Lillian Thompson; her husband, Darrel; her brothers, Truman, Dennis, and Arlin; her sisters, Myra Thompson, Lois Olson, and Judy Bjornson; her brother-in-law, Doug Gietzen; her sisters-in-law, Audrey Thompson and

Clara Thompson; her nieces, Kay Wheeler and Stacy Ledin; and her great-nephews, Trevor Ledin and Ty Gietzen.

Memorial Service: Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. Visitation: Saturday one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. Celebration of Life for friends and family: Friday, September 6, 2024, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Aces Lounge. Memorials: In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Christ Lutheran Church website: https://www.christlutheranminot.org/church-online/.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at www.thompsonlarson.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, September 5, 2024.