Obituary: Janice Thompson

Janice Ardele (Highley) Thompson, 92, from Glenfield, N.D., passed away on May 12, 2021, in Mandan, N.D. She was a devoted member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and served faithfully with the Alter Society.

Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, May 28, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, McHenry, N.D. Burial will be at the Carrington Cemetery. Father Reese Weber will officiate the service with special music by Pastor James Booth.

Janice was born on Aug. 3, 1928, in Melville, N.D. to Clara (Zink) and Emmette Highley. She attended grade school in Melville and graduated from Carrington High School in 1946. She attended three years at Jamestown College and graduated from Valley City State University. Janice taught in Foster County schools for 33 years, including combined rural classrooms, primary and upper grades, as well as high school. Her first teaching contract was for $210 for nine months, which included doing her own janitorial work!

In 1952, she married Melvin Thompson and moved to the Thompson farm near McHenry, N.D. They divorced in 1980. Janice was a very active participant in the farming responsibilities. She was capable of running all the farm equipment and helped seed, hay, summer fallow and harvest. Janice especially enjoyed the animals and took great care in raising sheep, turkeys, chickens, cattle, and especially.... her beloved cats! In addition, there was always a pony there for the many nieces and nephews to fight over. In the farmhouse, plenty of toys and books kept kids busy, while Janice prepared wonderful meals in minutes. Homemade pickles, jams, and bread, along with garden vegetables, were always on the table, only to be followed by her scratch cakes and desserts.

Church, community, and friends were very important to Janice and she enjoyed sharing thousands of photos that she took at local weddings, showers, ballgames, etc. Her creative gift-giving, crafting, letter-writing, and kindness will be greatly missed.

Janice was so proud of the many accomplishments of her neighborhood farm kids - Thompsons, Frappiers, Smiths, and Pounds. Even after moving to Glenfield in 1980, she always kept in close contact with her farm neighbors while enjoying her wonderful new neighbors in Glenfield.

Janice is survived by her niece, Monica (David) Hartsoch, grandson Klint (Tina) Hartsoch and their children, Skylar (Adam) Reiff and Karter Hartsoch; along with her brother Pete's children, Keith Highley, Tom Highley, Kathy (Jim) Sleeper, and numerous Thompson nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Pete Highley, sisters Marion Krakowski and Rena Everly, and nephews Ernest Highley and Larry Highley.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of Carrington, N.D.