Janice M. Moerke

Janice M. Moerke, age 82, of Alexandria, formerly of Evansville, passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Alomere Health in Alexandria.

A visitation will be held from 1-4 p.m., concluding with a 4 p.m. Service of Remembrance on Sunday, February 25, 2024, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Interment will take place at 1 p.m., Monday, February 26, 2024, at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Janice Mary Befort was born on April 28, 1941, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Frank and Lucille (Majerus) Befort. The eldest of four children, she attended elementary school in Fountain and graduated from Preston - Fountain High School in 1959. Janice continued her education at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, earning a B.A. in Education in 1963. She began her teaching career in the Twin Cities metro area, where she met William “Bill” Moerke through mutual friends. The couple quickly fell in love and married on June 26, 1965, at St. Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church in Fountain. They settled in Spring Lake Park, MN, starting a family with two children. Janice balanced raising her children with substitute teaching, a testament to her passion for education. When the family moved to Clear Lake, Iowa, for Bill’s work, Janice continued to substitute teach, gaining many friends and colleagues. After their children were grown, Janice and Bill returned to Minnesota in 1992 and eventually moved to Evansville in 2004 to enjoy retirement near the lake and outdoors, staying close to family. In 2017, facing health concerns, they relocated to Alexandria, residing at Diamond Willow/Windmill Ponds for the remainder of their lives. Throughout her life, Janice was known for her exceptional cooking skills, effortlessly recalling recipes from memory, and delighting everyone with her famous ribs and buckets of cookies. She loved co-hosting with Bill, delighting in organizing gatherings for friends and family. An avid reader, Jan could finish a book in just a single day. When her children were young, she lovingly sewed clothing, doll clothes, and Halloween costumes for them, and as they grew, she continued to explore her passion for sewing, expanding into crochet and other forms of needlework. Over the years, the couple traveled extensively, visiting family in Florida, Arizona, and Texas, driving to each location and enjoying tours along the way. Above all, Janice cherished her children and grandchildren. She was proud of all of them and loved them very much. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill in 2021; sister, Mary Brosious; sister-in-law, Donna Schelonka; and nephew, Wade Hansen.  

Janice is survived by her children, Dan (Carolyn) Moerke of Brookings, South Dakota and Jill Moerke of Alexandria; grandchildren, Hannah Moerke, Allison Moerke, Emma Moerke, Lucas Magnuson, and Julia Magnuson; brother, Stephen (Anne Johnson) Befort; sister, Beth (Dan) Belz; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.