Burial in Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Janice died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Janice was born in Aberdeen on Nov. 17, 1938, to Harold and Eunice (Herther) Tollefson and raised on the family farm. She graduated from Central High School in Aberdeen with the class of 1957. Janice loved to tell stories about riding the carousel, visiting Herther's General Store in Columbia and spending summers at Enemy Swim Lake.
She met the love of her life, Varhold Jerke, at Richmond Lake Pavilion. She saw Varhold smile and said to her friend, "I'm going to marry that man!" They married on Feb. 5, 1960, and had four children. They eventually moved to Rapid City. Janice and Varhold, along with the family, worked very hard operating their Super 8 Motels.
Janice's favorite pastimes included fishing for walleye and riding around the Black Hills on her Harley Davidson Sportster anytime, but especially during the Sturgis Rally.
Janice is survived by three daughters: Carrie (Jim) DeForrest, Tracey (Bob) Munyan and Velda Jerke, all of Rapid City; one son, Jevon (Amy) Jerke of Columbia, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, with more on the way; two brothers: Jerry (Aleda) Tollefson of Bath and Bruce (Diane) Tollefson of Aberdeen; one sister, Pat Larson of Gravois Mills, Mo.; and numerous aunts and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Varhold, on Oct. 16, 1987.
Honorary casketbearers will be Janice's family and friends.
Her family wants to send a special thanks to her special friends, Michele from Visiting Angels and everyone at Loving Hands.
Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen has been entrusted with arrangements.
carlsenfh.com