Janice Elaine Ellis

Janice Elaine Ellis, our beautiful mother, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2024, surrounded by her family who loved her to the fullest. As heartbreaking as it was to watch Jan struggle with her diagnosis of dementia, our family learned to meet her where she was at in her journey. Put simply, the one thing that was never and will never be forgotten is her love.

Jan was born one of ten children to Leo and Antonia DeMars on December 26, 1939 in Elk River, MN. Having a birthday following Christmas was never her favorite, but we always made it a point to celebrate her big. If December wasn’t special enough, she decided to marry the love of her life, Lowell Ellis, on New Year's Eve in 1960 after meeting at a dance at the Kato Ballroom. She borrowed her sister Jackie's wedding gown and made it official so she could join Lowell in Utah after he was drafted in the Vietnam War. 

Jan and Lowell moved back to Minnesota and chose Waseca as the perfect place to raise their three children Todd, Diane, and Shelly. Jan worked for a short time at Brown Printing before finding her niche as a natural homemaker. Her days were filled with the joys of raising her children, making the best home cooked meals, and caring for her home. Her quaint place on the southeast side of town brings memories of visiting on the deck with neighbors, watching Vikings games in the porch, and having fires in the driveway with often one too many glasses of wine.

The family cabin on Madison Lake was another place where many memories were made. From pontoon rides to relaxing on the beach. She enjoyed the simple things like casting in a line with her grandson to catch some fish or taking in the sunset. At the same time, she was always up for an adventure. Brave enough to hop on the jet ski for a rip around the lake when one of her grandsons insisted. 

When Lowell retired they spent their winters at Holiday Village in Pharr, TX with three of her sisters all owning homes next to one another. There were many happy hours and five o'clock somewhere days had by all. She cherished all of the time spent with her husband and sisters. 

Jan was well known in the community as an avid Waseca Bluejay Sports Fan. In fact, her and her close friends had reserved seating at half court of the home Bluejay basketball games. These die hard fans were recognized and honored by the basketball program for their commitment to the athletes and school. As a season pass holder, Jan followed the athletes as if they were her own, cheering them on and celebrating their successes. 

Her love for Waseca did not end there. You would find Jan first in line for Waseca Choir Variety Show tickets, ensuring that they had the best seats in the house. Her chair would be set out on main street the night before the Waseca Marching Classic. And she was likely the first caller Thursday evenings for the Yellow Mushroom Pizza Special. Her mornings were spent catching up on the local news and gossip with her coffee group at McDonald’s, always ordering a small diet coke since coffee wasn’t her thing. She was often one of the first ones there, making sure to save a table for all her friends. This is where breakfast often turned into lunch that then transitioned to dessert at one of the friends' houses. Jan was always on the move and would spend late mornings with her exercise group at Snap Fitness. She was a fan of everything Waseca had to offer. 

Perhaps Jan’s most admirable trait was how she always made sure everyone was taken care of before she tended to herself. She would take roll call on who was at the house and made sure that everyone had a comfortable seat for their visit. She was a caregiver to her family, adored her grandchildren and their visits. It was a known fact that if you stopped by, she would make sure to fill your belly. No one went hungry at grandma’s house! 

Jan spent the last three years living at The Pillars in Mankato where she continued to enjoy her love for music and dancing. She stayed busy with the weekly live music and events. Jan kept tradition, sharing a royalty dance at The Pillars Prom when she was crowned prom queen. Jan also partnered with her sister and joined the Singing Hills Choir where she made great music and friends. As expected, she developed a great group of friends at the Pillars that would later be referred to as the Golden Girls by others. 

Jan is survived by her children Todd (Shelly) Ellis and Shelly (Tony) Dunkin; sisters Pat (Tony) Staloch and Kathy (Tom) Wright; grandchildren Joel (Jacklyn) Wolfe, Clay (Kailee) Ellis, Nate (Cassie) Ellis, Justin (Taylor) Wolfe, Madison (Leigha) Forshee and Meg (Joe) Hoisington; and great grandchildren Rhett Wolfe, Emmett Ellis, Jozie Wolfe, Cecelia Wolfe, Evelyn Wolfe, Elsie Ellis, Delainey Ellis, Emmie Wolfe, Oakley Forshee, and Micah Hoisington.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents Leo and Antonia DeMars; husband Lowell Ellis; daughter Diane Wolfe; sisters Darlene (Bob) Kulseth, Joyce (Bud) Hill, Donna (Jack) Danberry, Rose Marie Loeffler (Jim), Shirley (Jimmy) Fitzloff and Jackie (Mark) Haley; brother Luverne (Hazel) DeMars; Sister-in-Law Barb Ellis (Dennis Peterson); and great-grandchildren Wyatt Wolfe and Isla Wolfe.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to staff at The Pillars of Mankato, St. Croix Hospice and Dimensions Director, Erin Johnson for their compassion and support. 

Please join us in celebrating the beautiful life of Janice Elaine Ellis on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the State Street Chapel in Waseca. We will celebrate her way; conversation, wine, charcuterie and live music. Following social hour, a prayer service and tribute to Jan’s life will be shared at 7:00 PM.