Janice M. Bjerkness

Janice M. Bjerkness, age 76, of Evansville, formerly of Brandon, died on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Alomere Health.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Brandon with Father Jeremy Theis officiating. Internment will take place at Brandon Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm, with 5 p.m. parish prayers, on Friday, September 26th at the church and one hour prior to the service.

Janice was born in Melrose to Walter Michael and Mildred Helen (Diedrich) Hoppe and was later joined by her cherished sisters, Lenora and Delores. She grew up happy, hardworking, and always ready to help—running track in Melrose and spending hours painting and drawing. After graduating from high school in 1966, Janice worked at Fingerhut in Sauk Centre, where she met her lifelong best friend, Ruthy (Klimek) Berg. She delighted in using her earnings to spoil her sisters. In 1967, with only a few dollars and big aspirations, she moved to Alexandria to attend Alex Vo-Tech, where she studied commercial art. In 1968, she met Ray while working at the Shell Cafe which her beloved soon to be in-laws owned. They were united in marriage on October 4, 1969. They welcomed their first son, Will, and 3½ years later, their second son, Scott. She worked hard through the years at various places and positions. Some of her favorite locations being the Coke plant in Alexandria, where she even played the role of the “Coke Clown,” and worked at Fleet Farm, where she loved setting up displays. Creative at heart, she enjoyed making and giving crafts and sewing unique clothing for others, especially the children in her life. Her house in Brandon was THE place to go on Halloween for the best treats and decorations, and you might have seen her dressed as a witch! Christmas, however, was her true favorite time of year—despite often saying, “winter is for the birds!” She loved decorating, baking and making, buying, wrapping and giving lots of gifts.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Will Bjerkness; in-laws, Orrie and Naomi Bjerkness; and brother in-law, Steve Koltes.

Janice is survived by her husband, Ray; son, Scott (Missy) Bjerkness of Bryson City, North Carolina; sisters, Lenora Koltes of Cottage Grove and Delores (Steve) Hedrick of Lake Elmo; sisters-in-law, Carol (Gary) Pope of Bakersfield, California and Sarah (Colan) Aranio of Wahiawa, Hawaii; nieces, Sarah Hedrick (Ryan Sward) of Lakeville, Aura Faxon of Kansas City, Missouri, Mary (Terry) Cochran of Springfield, Missouri, and Amy (Kevin) Bates of Nixa, Missouri; nephew, Sam (Ali) Hedrick of Spokane, Washington; grandchildren, Isaac Bjerkness of Orlando, Florida, Adie Bjerkness of Anderson, South Carolina, and Jojo, Lily, Miriam and Zeke Bjerkness of Bryson City, North Carolina; close cousin Gene Imdieke of Meire Grove; and close friend Imogene Ebert of Sauk Centre.

Pallbearers are Dan Nolan, Dan Cooper, James Fults, Joe Fults, Russell Bjerkness, and Gordon Bjerkness.