Janice Louise Fief

Janice Louise Fief, age 92, passed away on Friday, July 1, 2022, at Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina, KS.  Janice was born on July 31, 1929, in Esbon, Kansas, the daughter of Martin and Edith (Pittsenbarger) Johanek. 

She grew up on the family farm and attended Jewell County Public Schools graduating in 1947.  While in high school she participated in glee club, class plays, the annual staff, and was a cheerleader.  After graduating Janice attended St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Concordia completing her degree in 1950.  Her nurses training encompassed Marymount in Salina, as well as Kansas City and Wichita.  As a registered nurse she practiced in several states including Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, and California.  At an early point in her career, she was the supervisor at the Smith County Hospital in Smith Center, KS and she concluded her career as the Director of Nursing at the Nicol Home in Glasco. KS.  Janice served in this capacity in Glasco for 19 years where she provided excellent care while entertaining the residents with her singing and card playing.  Choosing a nursing career was a perfect fit for Janice.  It allowed her the opportunity to travel and be independent but most importantly it gave her the avenue to care for others.  She loved helping people and always brought a smile to those she worked with. 

On May 13, 1961, Janice was united in marriage to Al Fief at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Esbon, Kansas.  The couple lived at the Natural Gas Pipeline housing area before moving to their farm near Glasco in 1965.  The couple raised their three children on the farm and enjoyed being involved in all of their children’s activities.  They remained on the farm until Al’s passing in 1987 with Janice moving into Glasco shortly thereafter.  Janice remarried in 1993 to Harold Morell in Beloit, Kansas.  Harold and Janice resided in Glasco before moving to Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina, where Harold later passed.  Janice was an active member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Glasco where she participated in the church choir, was sacristan and Eucharistic Minister as well as brought communion to the homebound.  She loved people and never met a stranger.  She had a passion for dancing and was an avid card player, especially enjoying Pitch and later Rummikub and she was quick to tell you the score when she won.  Through all the years the most important thing for Janice was her family.  She loved her brothers and sisters and her husband, children, and grandchildren.  She treasured the time she spent with her family and friends.  

Janice was preceded in death by her five brothers - Glen, Jay, Elden, Ivan, and Kenneth Johanek; sister, Nila Mae Charbonneau and daughter-in-law, Gayla Fief.

Janice is survived by two siblings, twin sisters, Thelma Beam (Johnny) of Esbon, and Velma Gouldie (Jim) of Mankato.  Janice is also survived by her three children – Larry Fief (Sheila) of Salina, Annette Lounds (Norman) of Winfield, and Gregory Fief (Angela) of Manhattan.  She has seven grandchildren, Jordan Veenendaal (Bradley) of Salina, Zachary Fief of Emporia, Joshua Fief of Salina, Megan Lounds of Olathe, Bethany Andrew (Kyle) of Olathe, Nicholas Fief of Akron, OH, and Madison Fief of Manhattan.  Janice also has two great-grandsons, Deacon and Henley Andrew of Olathe.  

Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Glasco. Visitation will be prior to the service from 8:30 to 10:30 and a Rosary will be said at 10:30, all at the church.  

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the St. Mary Church in Glasco and may be sent in care of Ryan Mortuary.