Janice Mary Rodlund

Janice Mary (Schimming) Rodlund, 80 of Fargo, ND passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, March 12, 2017 while under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. With her loving husband by her side, God wrapped Janice in His arms to take her home to heaven after a short but courageous battle with kidney failure.

Janice was born May 23, 1936 to Edwin and Elva Schimming on the family farm in Leonard, ND. She graduated from Enderlin High School in 1954 and shortly after moved to Fargo to work for Standard Oil and attend Interstate Business College. In "those days" during high school she met the love of her life, Walter Rodlund. They were joined in marriage on May 29, 1956 in Enderlin, ND and made their home in Bottineau, ND.

Janice and Walt were blessed with quite a "brood". She loved to tell that Vickie was born the day after they were married, and then laugh about it being a year later. Greg and Steven followed within two years. With a busy household and three little ones in tow, they relocated to Fargo where Kim and Cindy joined to fill the house and make their “brood” complete.

Janice was always busy, never letting the grass grow under her feet. She was first and foremost a wife and mother. She also worked as a bookkeeper, did home daycare, was the lunch lady at Lewis & Clark Elementary, and then in 1976 she became the bookkeeper for Walt's Refrigeration, working with her husband until 1992. She then joined Scheel's on North Broadway eventually moving to Scheel's Home & Hardware where she spent 22 years until her retirement. Her "Scheel's Family" (coworkers and customers) held a special place in her heart even after her retirement.

Over the years she was a member of the Women's Bowling Association and part of the Women of the Moose. She loved to bake and cook and no matter how hard we all tried, it would never turn out like moms did even though it was her recipe. She was an avid sports enthusiast following the FM Acro Team and any sports event or tournament she could get to. She was known as mom and grandma to many more than just her own and she gladly accepted that title. Her thriftiness always showed in her clearance and rummage shopping; if there was an orange sticker on it, she had to buy it. Once you met her, you never forgot her as she always had a smile and a quick wit that left a lasting memory as well as being full of sass which will definitely be missed. Always joking around and making others smile and laugh is a legacy she is leaving for all those lives she has touched over the years. She loved to make sure that you knew her name was JaNICE with the emphasis on the NICE, which always made for a great chuckle.

Janice and Walt celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 2016 which was a GRAND CELEBRATION!! In their 60 years of marriage they enjoyed dancing, bowling, time spent at the lake - from the bus, tearing down a barn, to building a cabin from the wood, to buying a travel trailer. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her face always beamed when they walked in and said, “Hi Grandma”. If they had activities for school or sports, she loved to go watch.

Of course we can't forget her retirement specialty - casino cruising, bingo and their dream of traveling to Arizona and California. She was very proud of the motor home they had purchased for traveling. Sadly her health didn't allow that.

For the last several months while fighting various health ailments, Janice gave it her all to "KICK BUTT" when the final diagnosis of end stage kidney failure was given to her the beginning January. She amazed everyone – family, friends and doctors - with her strength and determination. On February 13, she made the decision that this was not the quality of life she wanted for us - always putting us first - not herself. She stopped dialysis and left the nursing home for the comfort of her own home.

Janice is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Walt; children, Vickie (Gene) Schmidt, Lake Park, MN, Greg (Sandie Bruggeman) Rodlund, Durbin, ND, Steven Rodlund, Fargo, ND, Kim Mohr, Rapid City, SD, Cindy (Steve) Murdock, Fargo, ND; 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren; sister, Karen Redmond, Enderlin, ND; brother, Myron "Hank" (Carolyn) Schimming, El Sobrante, CA; brother-in-law, Jerry Johnson, West Fargo, ND and multiple nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and step-father, (Melvin "Bud" Brehm); sister, Eunice Johnson; grandson, Brandon Rodlund; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Walt & Cecelia Rodlund; brother-in-law, Darrell Redmond and son-in-law, Dean "Willy" Willows.

Dancing with the angels in heaven, forever in our hearts on earth. We love and miss you forever and eternity.

A very special thank you to Dr. Gautam Phadke with Sanford Nephrology for his personalized and loving care that was always above and beyond.

in lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the charity of your choice. Janice requested casual wear for her celebration.