Janice Eckstein, age 78, Thief River Falls, MN died Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Funeral service will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, January 9, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Rev. Thomas Puffe officiating. Burial will be at Immanuel Cemetery, Wylie Township, rural Red Lake Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Friday, January 8, 2016 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls with a 7 PM prayer service and also for one hour prior to the service at the church, Saturday.

Janice Harbott was born on January 13, 1937 in Thief River Falls, MN, the daughter of Albert and Alvina (Geske) Harbott. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Janice graduated from Lafayette High School in Red Lake Falls, MN, in 1955.

On December 30, 1961, Janice was united in marriage to Robert "Bob" Eckstein. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Thief River Falls, MN.

Janice worked at the Hartz Wholesale office, as a receptionist at the Thief River Falls Hospital, at Arctic Cat, and for over 35 years at Purdy's Shoe Store.

Her hobbies and interests included being a wife and mother, spending time with grandchildren, decorating, cooking, trips with her family, and attending the services at St. John Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls where she was a member, taught Sunday School, and served on the Altar Guild.

She is survived by children: Tom (Andrea) Eckstein, Jamestown, ND, Jeff (Jeanette) Eckstein, Thief River Falls, MN and Tami (Mike) Veil, Coon Rapids, MN; eight grandchildren: Birgitta Eckstein, Joshua (Kara Zieroth, fiance) Eckstein, Christianna Eckstein, Vanessa DeHaan, Marissa DeHaan, Ryan (Allie) Veil, David Veil, and Monica (Ben Rader) Veil; honorary great-grandchildren: Callie Frank and Drakin Frank; sister: Marlene Harbott, Thief River Falls, MN and a brother Don (Donna) Harbott, Thief River Falls, MN.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Eckstein; her parents, Albert and Alvina Harbott; and sister, Barbara Huot.