Janice Lavonne Wussow

JANICE LAVONNE WUSSOW was born on June 16, 1937 to Alvin and Palma (Molstad) Mundahl in Elkton, South Dakota where she was raised and received her education. After she graduated as Valedictorian of Elkton High School, she began working in the office at Central Electric and Gas Company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. On September 17, 1955, she was united in marriage to Edward Wussow in Elkton. Following their marriage, they lived and worked in Sioux Falls until 1957 when they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota. After moving to Pipestone, Jan and Eddie had two children, Randy and Wendy, and Jan stayed at home and cared for the children while they were young. On December 1, 1964, Jan began working as a receptionist at First National Bank in Pipestone. She continued to work there in various roles until her retirement on December 31, 1995.

In retirement, Jan enjoyed traveling with the First National Bank Heritage Club, playing cards, and spending time with her grandchildren. Jan was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Pipestone where she served as both an elder and a deacon. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Pipestone. Her interests included baking, bowling, embroidering and dancing – especially dancing with her husband, Eddie. Many people will remember Jan with a smile on her face and open arms for a hug. She loved a party and was thought of by many of her friends as a social butterfly.

In July of 2010, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In January of 2012, she was transferred to hospice care at Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone. On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, she died at the Pipestone County Hospice House at the age of 76 years, 11 months and 25 days.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Wendy Claussen-Schoolmeester and her husband Dean of Pipestone, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Kyle Claussen and his wife Jessica of Mitchell, South Dakota, Jamie Claussen and her fianc Tyler Juhl of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Shawn Wussow and his wife Stacy of Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and three great-grandchildren, Warren Claussen, Trey Juhl and Zoe Wussow. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Wussow who died on August 18, 2013; her son, Randy Wussow; her parents; two brothers, Merlyn and Elroy Mundahl; and two sisters, Doris Olson and Lois Mundahl.