Janice Nelson, age 81, of Clear Lake, SD passed away surrounded by her family on Friday, August 30, 2024 at the United Living Community in Brookings, SD. Funeral service will be held at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday, September 4th at the First United Methodist Church in Brookings, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A private family burial will take place at the Lakeview Cemetery in Clear Lake, SD. Houseman Funeral Home of Clear Lake, SD is entrusted with the arrangements. 

 The service will be livestreamed and the link to view is https://youtube.com/live/a7exnhUk_DA?feature=share

My earthly journey began on December 29, 1942 at Hendricks, Minnesota, as the daughter of Charles and Hilda (Rost) Nicola.

My religious pilgrimage began when I was baptized at Grandma’s house in Clear Lake. I taught Sunday School, participated in the United Methodist Women, was a lay delegate to Annual Conference and a lifetime learner participating in many religious studies. In my final years I attended chapel at the Good Samaritan and United Living Center.

I attended my elementary and secondary education in Brandt, graduating from Brandt High School in 1960. I then travelled to LeMars, Iowa to attend Westmar University.

On March 25, 1961 I was united in marriage to Darwin Leslie Nelson in Watertown, South Dakota. We were blessed with six children: Nancy, Todd, Karna, Valerie, Darla and Lon.

I grew up on farms north of Brandt. When we were first married Darwin worked bridge construction requiring frequent moves throughout eastern South Dakota. In the mid-1960s we returned to my family farm north of Brandt. Later we moved to Clear Lake. My final years were spent in Brookings.

I was an active participant and leader in the U-Go-I-Go Extension Club, Busy Bees 4-H Club, and Brandt American Legion Auxiliary.

Homemaking was a constant throughout my life. I spent significant years at the Brandt Locker, Iceberg Drive-In and Empi/DJO Global.

I enjoyed attending or watching sports, school and community activities that involved my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. I enjoyed reading and word games, especially crossword puzzles. I was always searching for special events or places of interest for mini-vacation trips. My flowers, plants and garden brought me joy throughout the years.

My earthly journey ended on August 30, 2024, I am leaving behind my children Nancy Bohlen, Todd and Julie Nelson, Karna Schoon, Valerie Weisser, Darla and Timm Johannesen, and Lon Nelson. I am also leaving behind my grandchildren Stephanie and Chris and children Jordan, Skyler and Faith, Brooke and Josh and children Maddie and Aria, and Drew and Zack; and Samantha; Shane and Jacquelyn and daughter Lilienne; Tyler and Taylor and children Andi and Konnor; Jordan and Faith; Dannielle and Dustin and children Jack and Faith; Koleen and Travon and son Emmett; Matthew and Ashley and children Carson and Aspen; and Logan and Ashley. My siblings who are left on this earth include Carol (Roger) Dahl and Arlene Berger and my brother-in-law Harlan (Peggy) Nelson.

Waiting for me at heaven’s gates are my husband Darwin, my parents Hilda and Charles, my in-laws Avis and Eddie and my siblings Mary Elaine (Erling) Anderson, and brother-in-law Harris Berger.