Janice Marilyn Olenius Johnson was born in the Red Oak, IA hospital on April 9, 1938, five minutes before her twin brother, James Richard, to Alice (Miller) and James L. Olenius.  (They were the first babies to occupy the hospital’s new neonatal unit; so were pictured/featured on the front page of the Red Oak, IA newspaper.)

Janice grew up on a farm with her parents, older sister, LaVaughn and brother, Jim.  At the age of 10, she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  Her family always gave over-whelming support and she was continually Blessed by our Lord to help her lead a normal life style. She attended Page County country schools till middle of eighth grade when they transferred to the Villisca public schools and graduated there.  She then attended and graduated from the Northwest Missouri State College at Maryville, MO with a degree in Vocational Home Economics.  She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. 

She married James Martin Johnson on January 2, 1960.  Their first child, Jacki Michele, survived only one week.  They were blessed with a son, Jeffrey Marlin and daughter, Jeri Melinda.  The four members of the family had the same initials for 25 years.  Janice worked as an educational aide in the District 66 School System for 20 years, (5 hours a day) enabling her to be home with the family.  She took an active part in the Omaha DZ Sorority alum group, a Pinochle club, church groups etc.-attending many sporting events.  Janice and her husband, Jim, lived in Omaha, NE for 47 ½ years and were active members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church.  Jim worked for and retired from Northern Natural Gas.  Together, they traveled to all 50 states and enjoyed collecting various antiques. 

Because of health, they retired to Silvercrest at Deer Creek in Overland Park, KS to be near their daughter and family in 2007. 

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, James and sister LaVaughn.  She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Marlin (wife Janice, daughter Krista, her husband EZ and their children James and Jess E, son Kevin and his wife Ashley) of West Plains, MO and daughter, Jeri Melinda Gloe (husband Keith, son K.C., daughter Katelyn) of Shawnee, KS; brother, Jim Olenius and wife, Janet of Villisca, IA; nieces, nephews and many cousins.

A private family graveside service was held at Essex Cemetery in Essex, Iowa.  (Condolences may be expressed at:  www.porterfuneralhome.com  Arrangements:  Porter Funeral Homes & Crematory,  8535 Monrovia,  Lenexa, KS (913) 438-6444)