Janice Matthias, 84

Janice Matthias, age 84, of Cresco, IA passed away on August 13, 2024 at the Evans Memorial Home.

Janice Laura Matthias was born on April 28, 1940 to Carl and Elda (Fenneman) Wilken. She was raised on a dairy farm near Pleasant Valley Church along with her three sisters: Jeanette, Juanita and Jeanne.  She attended country school at Pleasant Valley through sixth grade. She graduated from Clarksville High School in 1958, where she enjoyed being a cheerleader. 

She was baptized and confirmed in the Pleasant Valley Church, where she later taught Sunday School and Bible School.

Janice’s working career included being a secretary, both at the Clarksville High School and Wartburg College in Waverly. She later fell in love with a farmer, and would take on the role of farm wife and partner.

On August 21, 1960 she married Romane Matthias in Readlyn, IA.   Janice and Romane started their family in 1962. To this union four children were born. The family moved from their farm near Readlyn to Davis Corners in 1973. Janice farmed together with Romane.  She helped with the discing in the spring, ran the field cultivator, picked lots of rock and would operate the combine during harvest. (Let’s not forget running for parts, fixing meals, keeping up with the house and family, and the endless hours of book work).

In 2007, Janice and Romane semi-retired and moved into Cresco.  During the winter months they traveled to Arizona, sometimes traveling with Kim and the horses, and other years flying down with Romane.  Janice loved going for walks in the Arizona sunshine.

Janice enjoyed riding horses, shopping, quilting, jigsaw puzzles, working in her flower beds, vegetable gardening, canning, square dancing, line dancing, helping out at church and going out to eat. She was a wonderful cook and baker. 

Survivors include her husband Romane, daughter Kim Bentz, son Rodney (Lori) Matthias, two grandsons Benjamin Matthias (Rodney’s son) and Ryan Dietzenbach (Teresa’s son), sisters Juanita (Larry) Baker and Jeanne (Ron) Fuerstenberg and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Douglas, daughter Teresa and sister Jeanette.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 17, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Cresco.  Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 pm on Friday, August 16, 2024 at Schmelzer (formerly Lindstrom) Funeral Homes in Cresco, and again one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday morning.  Burial will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco. Schmelzer Funeral Homes is assisting the family with arrangements.