Janice Ness

Janice Kareen Ness was born to Lawrence and Karen (Kelsven) Sorum on February 18, 1939 in Pelican Rapids, MN. She graduated from Pelican Rapids High School where she participated in Band (drums), Choir, Shada (school yearbook). After graduation, she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo, ND and worked as a bookkeeper. 

She met the love of her life at a roller-skating rink. That night her future husband went home and told his mother he had met the woman he was going to marry. During their courtship, they loved to go dancing with their friends. Janice married Arnold Jerome Ness on March 21, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pelican Rapids. They made their home on the Ness family farm milking cows and working the land for many years. As a farm wife, she served coffee, treats, and meals to whoever drove up the driveway to visit. Everyone was welcome into her home and those who came went home feeling blessed (and full)! An avid seamstress, she made many outfits for her family and sewed many quilts over her lifetime. She also shared her love for sewing with her kids, grandkids and many of the neighbors. She also was active in the Red Hatters, golfed, and spent many years bowling. 

She enjoyed serving God. She was active in North Immanuel’s Cradle Roll, Ladies’ Aide (President), teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and mentoring kids involved in catechism. She performed with a local clown ministry group, sometimes dressing her grandkids as clowns to be part of the act! She was a role model for many with her unfailing faith. Her and Arnie would say the Lord’s Prayer together every night before they went to bed. Once he passed, Tessy would call her every night to continue this tradition (with others joining in when they could). 

She enjoyed spending time at the family cabin previously on Lake Lizzie and now Lake Lida. She loved pontoon rides, fishing, playing cards, and spending quality time with family. 

Janice is survived by her four children: Karie (Joe) Pearce, of Maple Grove, MN; Brenda (Kevin) Van Holland, of Sioux Falls, SD; Teresa Ness of Moorhead, MN; and Paul (Debbie) Ness, of Battle Lake, MN; eight grandchildren: Vanessa Pearce (Chance Carnes ), Alicia (Mark) Flicker, Brooke (Damon) Andrews, Brady (Amanda) Van Holland, Cody (Kristina) Van Holland, Dawson (Natasha) Ness, Morgan (Isaac) Daniels, Madison Ness and her fiancé Daniel Erickson; seven great grand- children: Reese Andrews, Teigen Van Holland, Ryan Andrews, Jaxson Flicker, Taytum Van Holland, Rylee Flicker, Viviana Van Holland, and Tenlee Van Holland; Sisters: Joann Meyer of Dent, MN; and Linda Weiss of Little Falls, MN; Sister-in-laws: Julie Couture of Mesa, Az and Arlene Tweeton of Moorhead, MN. Also surviving Janice are nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. 

Janice was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Arnie; her parents Lawrence and Karen Sorum; her husband’s parents Norman and Evelyn Ness; her brothers: Harold Sorum and Lawrence “Bucky” Sorum; her In-laws: Leon Tweeton, Roger and Delores Gilbertson, Charles Meyer, Jack Couture, Kenny and Paulette Ness, and Jim Weiss. 

Janice Kareen Ness passed away on Tuesday, April 29, at the Pelican Valley Nursing Home at the age of 86 years, 2 months, and 11 days. In her own words, she would want us to “live life to our fullest, don’t hold a grudge, always keep faith in God and say your prayers”. 

Visitation for Janice will be held at Larson Funeral Home on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 5 pm to 7 pm, with a prayer service to follow. Funeral services will be held at North Immanuel Lutheran Church of rural Pelican Rapids on Friday, May 9, 2025. Visitation begins at 10 am with the formal service starting at 11 am. Buriel service to immediately follow at North Immanual’s West Cemetery. 

A time of food and fellowship will follow.