Janice Anderson, 96

Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 18 at the River Of Life Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Timothy Self officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to services.

Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016 at the Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, Ariz.  

I, Janice Gardner was born on April 22, 1920 in Russellville, Ariz., to William E. and Sarah Jane (Harkey) Gardner.  I was the only girl with three brothers (Robert Henry, William & David). I attended kindergarten and started school at the age of 6.  When I was in the second grade, my teacher started a band for first and second grade students and I was invited to join this band which was really exciting for me.

As a child, I attended the First Christian Church in Russellville, Ariz. This is where I gave my life over to the Lord as a teenager and was baptized.  

I grew up during the depression years in the 1930s.  

While I was in high school there were very few special classes offered to students, so I tried to take full advantage of the classes that were offered. I graduated from high school in 1938 at the age of 18. In September I enrolled in Arkansas Technical College in Russellville, Ariz., which at that time was a 2 year college. Later I went to business school.  In September  1942, at the age of 22, I left my hometown to take a school teaching job as a commercial teacher. After 2 years of teaching, I decided that it was not for me. I went to Hot Springs, Ariz., for job as a bookkeeper in a drug store.

While in Hot Springs, Ariz., I met my husband William O. Anderson (who would be called Andy) who had just returned to the U.S. from overseas duty during the Second World War.  Later he went to Camp Maxie in Paris, Texas to guard prisoners of war.  He came back to Hot Springs, Ariz., to see me when he had weekends free.  For Christmas in 1944, he gave me an engagement ring.  On May 2, 1945, we were married in Paris, Texas at Faith Christian Church at 4 p.m. and by 8 a.m. the next day he was guarding POW’s.  Nine days later the war was over in Europe and on June 1, 1945 I went to Ariz.,, to see my parents while Andy went to Chicago to receive his discharge papers from the U.S. Army under the point system.  Later in June he went to work for AT & T Long Lines.  Later I joined him in Odessa, Texas.  While we were there the war was over in Japan.

While Andy worked for AT&T we lived in many interesting places and saw many interesting things.  In 1953 we purchased 20 acres and a small country home near Center City. We planned to use this place as a retirement home.  

When we had been married 10 years we were blessed with a baby girl, Elizabeth Jane Anderson (later known as Beth). As we traveled and Beth grew, she reached school age. We enrolled her in kindergarten and that year she was in 3 different schools.  In August 1961, we moved to Center City, for Beth to start her education and Andy would continue to work on the road for AT&T. We spent time together when possible and many summers were spent with him.  

In 1972, after 29 years of service, Andy retired from AT&T and came home.  Beth left home a few years after high school graduation.

In February 1980, we took a trip to the Holy Land’s for our 35th wedding anniversary which we really enjoyed.

In 1982, Beth was married to Brian Fortier and in 1988 we were blessed with a grandson Andrew James Fortier and in 1991 we were blessed with another grandson Michael Brian Fortier.

After we sold our home in Center City we moved to a country location around Brook Park, where we built a log home.  We lived there until Andy’s death in 1998.  After Andy’s death I sold the log home and moved to Thief River Falls, so I could live closer to my daughter and her family. After moving to Thief River Falls, I helped with my grandsons when I could.  Grandma’s house was a second home.  I also was a teacher’s helper at Our Savior’s Christian Academy and a member of the Bereans at EFC.  I loved sewing and even made my daughter’s wedding dress.  In 2012, I became a great-grandmother to Clara Renae Fortier. 

After settling in Minnesota, I was a member of the Church of Christ in Forest Lake, Evangelical Free Church in Sandstone,  and Thief River Falls.  I was a regular attender at the First Baptist Church and River of Life Church in Thief River Falls.  I lived a faithful Christian life, even attending church on my last Sunday.

Survivors include her loving daughter Beth (Brian) Fortier of Goodridge; grandsons, Andrew Fortier of Twin Valley, and Michael Fortier of Goodridge; great-granddaughter, Clara; sister-in-law, Betty Gardner of Russellville, Ariz.; and nephew, David Gardner Jr. of Kenner, La.

She was Preceded in death by husband, Andy in 1998; parents; siblings; and sisters-in-law.

Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.