Janice Schulze

JANICE ARDELL (RASCHKE) SCHULZE was born on August 31, 1936 at the Pipestone County Hospital in Pipestone, Minn. to Arnold and Evelyn (Nissen) Raschke. Janice was their first born, having six brothers and sisters. She was baptized and later confirmed her faith at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, Minn. She grew up on a farm north of Holland where she was busy helping on the farm. She milked cows by hand when she was just five years old. There are many stories which Janice shared with her family about growing up. One such story was when Janice was asked about when she learned to drive: “My dad always took me out to the field to practice, and one day he told me to go out to the pasture and bring home the cows for milking, so I did. Oh what an experience! I wound up getting too close to the fence and hooked the fence and before I knew it, I had pulled out the whole fence. Boy was I scared to go home and tell my dad what I had done.” Janice had many stories like these growing up with her brothers and sisters. These stories are remembered and cherished by her family.

Janice went to elementary school District 73 at a one room Country School, just down the road from their family farm. She later went on to and graduated from Ruthton High School, the class of 1954. She was proud of the fact that many close friendships were born there and lasted a lifetime. She also met Robert (Bob) Schulze during this time. They were a part of the same St. James Lutheran Church youth group. Bob lived three miles away. Janice admitted that when they were dating, she would look out of her upstairs bedroom window, and could see Bob leaving his place when he came to pick her up at night. The story goes that Bob first asked Janice out on a date, by pulling her over with his car on the way home from youth group one evening. Janice went to work after high school as a bookkeeper, working in Pipestone at the Luksik Drug Store and later at the Pipestone Creamery, a job that she loved.

Janice married Robert Lee Schulze on September 16, 1956 in St. James Lutheran Church. For a time, Bob and Janice lived in Pipestone. In 1966 the family moved to their farm north of Holland, where they lived and worked the rest of their lives. Janice loved her flowers and enjoyed baking and cooking for any and every one that happened to be on the yard at dinner time. She worked hard on the farm, including memories, of again, milking Jessie the cow by hand, and raising lots of chickens and ducks which helped support the household purchases. She loved to play cards with friends and family, and loved taking care of her grandkids as they came along. Janice was an active member at St. James Lutheran Church, from being a Sunday School teacher, and a member of the Naomi Circle, Ladies Aid, and church choir, to name just a few. Janice and Bob raised their children to know and love the Lord. That love of the Lord has flowed down to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren today, which she was eternally grateful.

Janice enjoyed sewing clothing for her children, grandchildren, and even herself throughout her life. She loved teaching her children good work ethics and helped them through the years with their 4-H projects. She also liked to watch the Prairie Grangers 4-H club play softball. Janice was a supporter of the Red Cross, donating several gallons of blood over the course of her lifetime. Family and friends will remember her saying “OH Surely not!”

Janice was blessed in life through the very end. She was able to remain in her home on the farm until September 29, 2020 when she entered the care of the Pipestone County Hospice House. She died peacefully there on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at the age of 84 years, one month, and 14 days.

Janice is lovingly remembered by her four children, David (Gail) Schulze of Holland, Rodney (Linda) Schulze of Holland, Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Schulze of St. Cloud, and Jillene (Richard) Johnson of Woodstock; 14 grandchildren, Linzie (Brent) Dagel, Nicholas (Kayla) Schulze, Casey (Dan) Uilk, Dean (Kristina) Schulze, Devin (Becca) Schulze, Christopher (fiancé, Roxann Achen) Schulze, Megan Schulze, Brandon Schulze, Justin Schulze, Brice (Kaitlyn) Johnson, Trent (Nichole) Johnson, Janelle (Kole) Vogt, Jonah Johnson and Micah Johnson; 24 great-grandchildren, Joseph, Isaac, Hannah and Sarah Dagel, Zachary, JordynBre and Aaron Schulze, Collin, Kadence, Cooper, Lydia and Leah Schulze, Traeten Rustad, Maxten and Graesyn Schulze, Kaeya, Lucas, and Jacob Uilk, Bennett and Aubrielle Johnson, Novaleen Johnson, Kloe and Maverick Vogt; siblings, Darwin (Barb) Raschke, Verlyn Johnson, LaJean (Rod) DeKam, Loren (Diane) Raschke, Don (Deb) Raschke, Dale Raschke, and one brother In-Law, Ronald Schulze.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Schulze; her parents, Arnold and Evelyn (Nissen) Raschke, her father- and mother-in-law Alfred and Alice (Meyer) Schulze; sister, Judy Johnson; and nephew, Kyle DeKam.A photo slideshow of Janice's life will be uploaded to this page in the coming days when it is prepared.