Obituary: Janice Loy Kangas

Janice Loy Kangas, 78 of Esko, Minnesota and longtime resident of Willow Lake and Watertown, South Dakota, died Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth of an unexpected hemorrhagic stroke. She was born April 11, 1946, to Alfred and Mable (Trevithick) Warkenthien of Willow Lake, SD. Janice was married to Gary Kangas from Bryant, SD on August 13, 1966.

Janice held various administrative assistant positions outside the home in Watertown and Duluth., but she embraced her role as a pastor’s wife most of all, and never retired from it. She and Gary raised their family in Watertown, SD until 1989 and then moved to Esko, MN. Janice was Gary’s steadfast partner in life and in ministry. She was a dedicated wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. Janice was known for her wit, wisdom, and love for God’s word. She found joy in serving the church wherever there was a need. She led in the children’s ministry, played piano, sang in the choir, led and attended women’s bible studies and served in the kitchen, among many other things. Janice showed hospitality through cooking, baking, and welcoming countless guests into her home. She was an ambassador for Christ everywhere she went, and she will be greatly missed!

Janice is survived by her husband, Pastor Gary; her children, Cindy (Ronnie) Ward, Joan Evans, Kimberly (Bill) Johnson, Bradley (Kirsten) Kangas, Michelle (Tod) Stuber, and Aaron (Kara) Kangas; grandchildren, Katrina (Hayden) Bennett, Caleb (Katelyn) Ward, Cassie (Zac) Denning, Camron Ward, Cara Evans, Jesse (Julie) Johnson, Jamie Johnson, Jenna Johnson, Sean Kangas, Ethen Stuber, Owen Stuber, William Stuber, Jordan Kangas, and Silas Kangas; great-grandchildren, Bethany Bennett, Abigail Bennett, Clint Ward, Cole Ward, and Annie Denning; sisters, Marivonne Bastian and Sharon (Roger) LaMont; brother, Marlin (Cindy) Warkenthien; sister-in-law, Carolyn Harding; and numerous nieces and nephews. Janice was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Darrel, Keith, and Delwyn Warkenthien; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

An evening visitation will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko, MN. Services will continue, also at the church, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. until the11:00 a.m. funeral service. Interment service will be held in the Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery, followed with a luncheon in the fellowship hall. Arrangements are entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care, Cloquet, Minnesota.

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16