Funeral Mass for Janice Brooks, 78 of Sisseton, SD, will be held on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD with Rev. Fr. Jerry Ranek Celebrant. Organist will be Cindy Marohl with Song Leader Sandi Jaspers. Pallbearers will be Rob Reuland, Josh Brooks, Kevin Brooks, Tyler Brooks, Casey Brooks, and Mark Brooks. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Janice's Friends and Family. There will be visitation on Sunday, September 18, 2016 at the Cahill Funeral Chapel from 3:00 to 7:00 P.M. Interment will be in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Janice Reuland Brooks was born August 3, 1938, in White Lake, South Dakota to Ambrose and Rebecca (Peters) Reuland. During WWII, she moved with her parents to Port Orchard, Washington, so her father could work in the shipyards to support the war effort. She credits the years spent in Washington for her love of all things green and seafood. Her family returned to White Lake after the war for one year and then moved to Mitchell, SD, where she attended Catholic school and graduated from Notre Dame Academy in 1956. After high school, she attended Presentation College in Aberdeen, SD, until health issues forced her to leave. Janice was working for an insurance company in Watertown, SD, and came to visit her parents in Sisseton where she was spotted by Jake who told his friend, "that's the girl I'm going to marry". They were engaged 3 months after meeting. Jake and Janice were married September 3, 1960 at St. Peters Catholic Church in Sisseton. Daughter Mary arrived one year later and son Michael in 1963. In 1964, Jake and Janice moved from the apartment above Brooks Motors to the house she lived in for the rest of her life.
She loved flowers and went back to school and attained a Master Gardner certification and a Garden Club of America National Flower Judge accreditation. She loved to be outdoors digging in the dirt and watching her flowers grow. She brought them indoors and created beautiful arrangements which she shared with her church and the Nicollet Tower. She was talented and creative. She sewed most of the family's clothing. She took painting classes and painted many pieces for friends and family. She had a love of dishware and glassware and she made it a point to set a beautiful table for each meal. She decorated and beautified her house and her surroundings. She loved to dress up and wear hats and wore one to church most Sundays. Her husband Jake passed in 2001, leaving a hole in her life. She traveled to Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean and visited classmates around the United States and loved seeing the world. She was a 50 + year member of St. Peters Catholic Church, a founding member of the Sisseton Garden Club, and a 25 year member of the Home Extension Club. Janice struggled with health issues most of her life but could rally when she wanted to get something done. She often reminded us she was sick.
Janice is survived by her daughter Mary (Tucker) and grandson Iain of Bountiful, UT, son Michael (Amy) and their children Lindsey of Aberdeen, Garret of Brookings, and Nick of Watertown, and a special great grandson Ryder of Aberdeen, her brother Randy Reuland(Deb) of Pierre and children Rob (Stacey) and Lisa. Also survived by Jakes brothers Larry (Terry), Glen, Jack (Angie), Cleon (Marlys), Wes (Diane), Jerry (Sherry), Dale (Teresa), Bill (Marita), and Rick and his sister Gloria (Larry) numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.