JANICE R ONERHEIM

Janice Rae “Jan”Onerheim, 77 of Devils Lake, ND passed away at her home Monday morning, August 11, 2014 in the loving care of family and friends and Altru Hospice. Funeral Services for Janice will be held on Friday, August 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Rev. Lyle Belleque officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at Peace Lutheran Church on Friday beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Janice Rae, daughter of Orville and Alma (Nokelby) Guffey was born on September 20, 1936 at New Rockford, ND. She grew up in North Dakota and Wisconsin, graduating from Leeds High School. Jan was united in marriage to Donald Onerheim on August 27, 1953 at Brinsmade, ND. Shortly after their marriage, Don entered the US Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict in France. When he was discharged in 1955, Jan and Don made their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family through the years. Together they owned and operated the Montgomery Ward Catalog Division for many years and for over 25 years they worked side by side as owners and operators of the ARCADE. After almost 52 years of love and marriage, Don passed away on May 29, 2005. Jan was a member of Peace Lutheran Church, VFW Auxiliary and the Jaycettes where she served as a State President. She was the very deserving recipient of the Unsung Hero Award in June of 2013. Swimming was Jan’s passion. She was a swimming instructor and Water Safety Instructor Trainer for over 50 years. She began teaching swimming with Audrey Vang at the pool at Roosevelt Park. Jan taught swimming for the Park Board for over twenty years. This passion was passed on to her children and grandchildren. She and her daughter Debbie taught private swimming lessons for many years and again, soon other family became involved as instructors and life guards and more. Until a few months ago, Jan had been the life guard at the School for the Deaf Senior Swimmers for 28 years. Nothing brought more joy to Jan than a house filled to the rafters with family and friends. Her house was known as the “Do Drop Inn”. Time spent in the company of Jan could include playing cards, tending her beautiful flowers, sharing laughter and tears, stories and memories of good times past. Her love was unconditional for each and every person in her life. Jan has touched lives from the very young to the very old. She has lovingly cared for so many family and friends in their times of greatest need and has never asked for anything in return. For all the love she showed us we are thankful and feel blessed in so many ways. Jan is survived by her son Kent (Durene) Onerheim, Fargo; daughter Vicki (Robert) Nelson, Dilworth, MN; son-in-law Craig Stromme, Devils Lake; grandchildren Justin (Heather) Stromme, Ryan (Shanene) Stromme, Kale Stromme; Kyle Onerheim, Lindsey (Philip) Abeln; Nicole Nelson and Riley Nelson; great grandchildren Keegan, Livia, Weston and Scarlet Stromme, Payton Onerheim, Kali and Aubrey Abeln; sisters Shirley (Sheldon) Vincent, Devils Lake, Sharon (Richard) Halvorson and Sylvia (Aaron) Allen both of Austin, TX; brother Gordon Guffey, Great Falls, MT; sister-in-law Isabell Guffey, Newburg, OR and many nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Alma Guffey-Kjelden; husband, Don; daughter Debra Stromme on April 4, 2008; step father, Ervin Kjelden; brothers, Jerry and Terry Guffey; in-laws, Selmer and Bertha Onerheim. Serving as Urn Bearers for Jan will be her grandchildren Justin, Ryan, Kale, Kyle, Lindsey, Nicole and Riley. Music will be provided by Kensi Wateland and Brenda Swenseth.