Janice Bennett, 85, Mandan and formerly of Minot and Velva died on Thursday, November 2, 2023 in a Mandan assisted living facility.
Janice Audrey Lee was born on October 6, 1938 in Denbigh, ND to Julius and Alma (Olson) Lee. She was raised on a farm near Denbigh and attended rural school. The family moved to Velva, ND in 1947 and she graduated from Velva High School in 1956. As a young adult she was employed at the S & L Store in Minot for six years.
Janice married James Bennett on February 15, 1966 in Rapid City, SD. They made their home in Minot where she was a wife, fulltime stay-at-home mother and household Chief Operating Officer. Jim died on September 30, 2021. Janice moved to the Mandan Edgewood Vista Assisted Living Center in November of 2021.
Janice was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church – Minot where she was active with the Altar Guild and WELCA (Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America). She especially enjoyed cooking, gardening, reading, sewing, dancing and spending time with her grandchildren.
Janice’s loving family includes her children: Toni Bennett (Reed Opland) of Burlington, Jacque (Kenneth) Salwey of Bismarck, Rona (John) Pfund of Fargo and Kristel (Patrick) Ficek of Minot; grandchildren: Chad, MacKenzie, Kelsey, Erin, Bailey, Cole and Sofie; great grandchildren: Ada, Corbett, Daedyn, Ayden, Davin, Arya, Vada and Archie; sister: Virginia Bayne of Bottineau; in-laws: Elroy Balerud and Doloris Lee and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings: Avis Booth, Donna Balerud, Howard Lee and Donald Lee.
Celebration of the Life of Janice Bennett: Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel. A delayed stream of the service will be available starting on Friday by using https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park – Minot.
Visitation: One hour prior to the start of the service in the funeral home.
Memorials are preferred to Parkinson’s Foundation.
