Janice Annette (Reed) Jensen

Janice Annette (Reed) Jensen, age 77, passed away at her home surrounded by her loving family Friday, Dec. 8, 2017.

 

Janice was born in Elk Point, Sept. 18, 1940, to Elvin and Helen Reed. She was the younger of two children, having an older brother, Calvin Reed.

 

Janice graduated from New Underwood High School in 1958. She met the love of her life in New Underwood, Donald (Donnie) Jensen, and they married  June 14, 1959. Janice started her life with Donnie living on the Jensen family farm north of New Underwood, before moving into town. Janice and Donnie had four children together, Darla, Debbie, Dawn and Dennis. They built their very own family home in New Underwood, where they raised their children and created many memories.

 

Janice was a hard working woman who valued family, honesty and a strong work ethic above all else. While her children were growing, Donnie was on the road often for his job, so Janice would take various jobs around town cleaning houses and working at the nursing home, before settling in as the bookkeeper for Ron’s Propane, where she worked for over 30 years.

 

Janice was the matriarch of her family; holidays and parties were always celebrated at her and Donnie’s home. She would do anything and everything she could for her family. Her love knew no bounds, and her family was always her number one priority. You could ask any one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they would all know and have experienced her generosity.

 

Janice was well-known in the town of New Underwood. She will be remembered for her bright smile, silly jokes and stories she was always willing to share with her customers at Ron’s. She was a beautiful soul who would give anyone the shirt off her back. Janice will always be remembered for her giving spirit, as well as her stubborn and feisty side. She would joke about how Donnie would always tell her she needed to use what God gave her and go out and “shake her money maker.” Her family knows that she is doing just that in the sky, on the clouds with Donnie.

 

Janice is survived by her four children, Darla Parsons, Debbie Jensen and Dawn Jensen, all of New Underwood, and Dennis Jensen, Wasta; 11 grandchildren, Shannon (Keith) Knuppe, Craig Moshier, Wolf (Bethany) Parsons, Tyler (April) Brantley, Tanner Brantley, AJ Parsons, Laressa (Gordon) Finney, Shelby Brantley, Lynlee Jensen, Cassie Moshier, Riley Jensen;  24 great-grandchildren, as well as her brother’s two sons, Kyle and Colin Wold, both of Montana.

 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald Jensen; brother, Calvin Reed; and both of her parents.

 

Services were held Dec. 13 at the funeral home. Burial followed at the New Underwood Cemetery, with a reception at the New Underwood Community Center.

 

Memorials may be directed to the Shriners Hospitals for Children-Twin Cities in Minnesota. 

 

Kirk Funeral Home, Rapid City, was in charge of services.