Janice T. Olson, age 87, of Alexandria, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria.

Visitation will begin at 5 p.m. and conclude with a 7 p.m. rosary on Sunday, March 1st, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2026, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Fr. Dan Ruprecht officiating with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Alexandria following lunch.

Janice’s service will be livestreamed and can be viewed at the bottom of her obituary or by clicking HERE.

Janice Teresa Roers was born on April 29, 1938, to Alois H. and Walburga “Burga” (Stoetzel) Roers on a farm northeast of Millerville. She was baptized at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville, where she also received her First Communion and Confirmation. Janice attended Catholic school in Millerville through the eighth grade, with the exception of three months when the family moved to Alexandria. They later returned to the Millerville area, and she attended Brandon High School for three years.

Janice was united in marriage to James B. Thoennes on May 8, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank, as the Millerville church was under construction at the time. They made their home on a farm near Inspiration Peak and raised 11 children: Allen, Ronald, Jeanne, Teresa, James Jr., Owen, Kevin, Kenneth, Lucille, Susan, and Tague. Janice was active in many areas of the Catholic Church, including Christian Mothers, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and lector, and teaching religion classes. She also served on the Leaf Mountain Town Board.

When the marriage ended in 1984, Janice moved to Alexandria, where she became active at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. While being employed at Country Kitchen, she met Orris Olson. They were united in marriage on February 21, 1987, at First Lutheran Church in Alexandria. The marriage was later blessed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Together they farmed near Alexandria and, beginning in 1994, spent the winter months in Arizona.

Janice often said that a dream is only a dream until you take action to make it a reality. In 2006, she fulfilled one of her dreams when she and Orris, along with seven of his cousins, spent three weeks touring the picturesque Scandinavian countries, as well as Scotland and England. They were also struck by the stark, bleak beauty of Iceland during a short visit there.

Janice cherished her time in Arizona, found peace and creativity in quilting, embroidering towels and baby blankets, tending her flower and vegetable gardens, and enjoying many lively hours around the table playing cards and games. Nothing in her life meant more to her than her family and they were truly the center of her world.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Orris; sons, Allen and Kenneth; daughter-in-law Rhonda; and brother Wayne.

Janice is survived by her nine children, Ron, Jeanne (Darcy) Kramer, Teresa Cavanagh, James Jr. (Gail), Owen (Dawn), Kevin, Lucille (Paul) Osier, Susan, and Tague (Deb); brother, Mark (Janice) Roers; sisters, Vera (Tim) Froemming and Lana (Rod) Leedahl; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren with two on the way; one great-great-grandchild; along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to your favorite charity in Janice's memory.