SPARTA-Janice Rae (Johnson) Janzen of Sparta died peacefully on May 1, 2025. She was born in Melrose on October 26, 1934 to Morris and Lillian (Erickson) Johnson. Janice was an only child, and reminisced often about her many cousins she grew up with and still kept in touch with many of them.
Janice was married to John Raymer Jr. on November 28, 1952. Together they raised 5 children and farmed in the Angelo and Sparta areas. They later divorced. Janice married Eugene Janzen on December 28, 1990. Together they spent their years with their dog Pepper, hosting many family gatherings, traveling and dancing. Gene preceded her in death in 2008. Janice and Ted Roels celebrated a commitment ceremony on October 1, 2022. They made the most of their time together – dancing, laughing and enjoying each other’s company.
Janice was very involved with the community. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Sparta for over 50 years. Janice was a member of the Sparta Eagles for many years and was inducted into the Wisconsin State Auxiliary Hall of Fame in 2017. She was a past member of the Rebekah Lodge, the Beaver Creek Homemakers, and The Farm Bureau. She also volunteered for many other community activities.
In addition to her jobs as a farm wife and a mother, she was also the Sparta Town Clerk for 34 years. In 1985 she went to work at Fort McCoy as a Supply Clerk until her retirement in 1996. She was also a caregiver for her parents and her Aunt Ollie for many years.
Janice bowled nearly all her life, joining her team at many State and National tournaments (there are a lot of stories about those trips!). Janice was also a golfer and loved to dance. She loved to sew, crochet, knit, bake, garden, play cards & bingo and shake dice. She really lived life to the fullest and was fortunate to have a great group of friends. The most important thing in life to her was spending time with family, the many large gatherings, picnics and camp outs over the years were always a good time and provided all of her family with many memories.
She is survived by her children – Roxanna (William) St John, Kevin (Marlene) Raymer, Bruce (Jane) Raymer, Patricia (Royce) Newman and Suzanne Davis; Stepchildren - Sheryl Kortbein, Russell (Tina) Janzen, Darrell (Krista) Janzen and Lana Janzen; Grandchildren – Troy (Gillian) Donskey, Jamie (Shana) Donskey and Chad (Jennifer) Donskey, Erin (Steve) Perez, Sean St John, Jenna (Rockwell) Johnson, Andrew Raymer, Jason (Autum) Raymer, Joshua (Lauren) Newman, Kaylin Davis, Abbey (Joshua) Nevin; Kylie Janzen, Ben Kortbein, Zach Janzen, Nathan Janzen, Jessica Janzen, Alexandria Schanhofer, Emma Janzen and Isaac Janzen; 36 Great Grandchildren and 15 Great Great Grandchildren; in-laws Norman (Donna) Janzen, Elaine (Darrel) Pederson, Norma (Albert) Spaeth, Dorothy Janzen, Robert (Bonnie) Raymer, Daisy Raymer, Rosemary Zeasman, Janet (John) Rusch, Nancy Mortimer and Merlin Wehrs; her Aunt Rose Erickson, many special cousins, nieces and nephews and her loyal and caring partner Ted Roels.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Lillian Johnson; husband Gene Janzen and John Raymer; granddaughter Brandy Vollbracht, great granddaughter Heather Donskey, great grandson Jacob Donskey and in-laws Arnold Janzen, Donald and Florence Janzen, Mary Ann Fuerstenberg, Sydney (Phyllis) Raymer, Arlyn Raymer, Joyce (Norman) Duffrin, Dorothy Wehrs, Jim Zeasman, Dale Mortimer and many special aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family extends a special thank you to the loving staff and residents at Rolling Hills as well as the wonderful Mayo Hospice team.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 12, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Sparta. Burial will follow the luncheon in Burns Cemetery, rural Bangor.
Family and friends are invited for visitation from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Monday at the church. Online condolences may be offered at www.schanhoferfh.com. Memorials can be directed to Mayo Hospice.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation, Sparta, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home and Cremation
