Janice Ione Melvie, 87, of Thief River Falls, MN, was united in heaven with her husband on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Thief River Falls Care Center in Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be held on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 10 AM at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with funeral service to follow at 11 AM with officiating  Pastor Matty Towse.

Burial will follow the service at Folden Cemetery in rural Newfolden, MN.

Janice Ione Sorenson was born to Harry and Agnes (Anderson) Sorenson at home near Oklee, MN.  She grew up on the family farm, attending a rural school and graduated from Pershing High School in 1954.

On June 11, 1955, Janice was united in marriage to Earl Melvie at Salem Lutheran Church in rural Oklee, MN. The couple moved to Seattle, WA, for one year and then returned to Thief River Falls. Janice raised her children before starting her career at J.C. Penny's in 1966 where she worked until her retirement in 2004.  Janice lived in Valley Home, prior to moving to TRF Care Center.

Janice loved her flower gardens, the Minnesota Twins, Charley Pride and baking for family and friends. Hosting holiday get-togethers with family were very meaningful to her.  Janice was a strong believer in Jesus' love, grace and mercy.  She was an active member of First Baptist Church, having served on numerous boards, sang in the church choir, and taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years.

Janice is survived by her children: Kjell (Dawn) Melvie of Centralia,WA, Keith (Callie) Melvie of Thief River Falls, MN, Kay (Jim) Tesch of Goodridge, MN, Kari Grafstrom of Fargo, ND, Kim Nelson of Maplewood, MN, and Kathi Abel of Lantana, FL; grandchildren Kirsten (Josh) LaRoche, Shayne (Alison) Melvie, Eli (Special Friend April Johnson) Melvie, Josie Melvie, Jamie (Luke) Dale, Adam Grafstrom, Nicolas Grafstrom, Kimberly Grafstrom, Hans (Kyleigh) Grafstrom, Bethany (Daniel Niebuhr) Nelson, Michael (Christin Garske) Nelson, Ryan (Hannah Stock) Nelson, Alexandra (Emmanuel Garza) Nelson, Daniel (Maggie) Peppin, Rebekka (Mason) Heinrich, and Lauren (Adam) Hansen;  30 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Wavell Sorenson of Plummer, MN, Gloria Lee of Thief River Falls, MN, and Janice (Arvid) Lee of Thief River Falls, MN, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her husband Earl in 2015, parents Harry and Agnes, 3 grandchildren infant twin girls and infant Bobby Peppin, siblings: Lloyd, Kermit, and Virgil Sorenson, and Corlan Kleinschmidt.