Janice Wentzel

Janice Louise Wentzel (Lowery - Schofer), 86, of Lansing, KS, formerly of Creston, IA and Sun City, AZ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25th surrounded by family at Twin Oaks Health & Rehabilitation, Lansing.

Janice was born June 17th, 1940 in Iowa Falls, IA to Adelbert L and Ruth Irene (Cummins) Lowery. She attended and graduated from Alden, IA schools.

In her marriage with Gordon Schofer, Janice was a homemaker in Valley City, ND and later in Creston, IA. She devoted her time and energy into raising two young boys, Robert (Bob) and John. The family were faithful members of Salem Lutheran Church, Creston, IA.

Once the boys were busy with school, Janice earned her Nurse’s Aid Certification at Southwestern Community College. She continued her education earning her LPN licensure while working as a Nurse Aid and full time Mom. Janice was extremely proud of her nursing career. She worked as a nurse in health care facilities both in Iowa and Arizona up until her retirement. As a patient, Janice was known to keep the nursing staff both on their toes and entertained. She was always known to be in possession of her Merck Manual and always inquisitive.

Outside of her career, Janice enjoyed music, quilting, crochet, knitting, and baking. She loved to bake at the holidays and would send care packages of treats to both of her boys. Every year she said it would be the last time due to the work involved, but there were many “last years”. Janice very much enjoyed corresponding with her siblings through many phone calls, cards, and letters. She loved to take in everything going on with her extended family spread out all over the United States. This brought her great joy, and she would often share it with anyone who would listen. The 300 hall staff were continuously kept up to date on the happenings of the extended Lowery family.

In 1992, Janice decided she was over the Iowa winters, ready for a positive life change and relocated herself to Arizona. She fell in love with Arizona and it was there that she met Robert Wentzel. They married in 1995 and resided in Sun City, AZ up until his passing in 2018 and her health required she be nearer to family. They enjoyed the life they built together very much. Janice enjoyed her retirement and most of all, the sunshine during her years in Sun City. “We never have to scoop it!” she would say.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband - Robert Wentzel, her parents - Delbert and Ruth Lowery, her son - John Folsom (Schofer) and brother-in-law - Dale Brown.

Janice is survived by her son - Robert Schofer (Michael) of Lansing, KS, daughter-in-law - Jennifer Douglas, granddaughters - Sheila Folsom of Kansas City, MO and McKenna Haffner (Issac) of Winston, GA, sister - Colleen Brown of Grundy Center, IA, brother - Richard “Dick” Lowery (Ann) of Green Valley, AZ, brother - Delbert “Del” Lowery (Brenda) of Bellingham, WA, and sister - Linda Bergman (John) of Holland, IA.

The family wishes to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for the staff at Twin Oaks Health and Rehabilitation for her care and your love. We would especially like to thank her thrifting pal and caregiver, Teresa Czarney, of Waddell, AZ for taking such good care of her and Bob in their home in Sun City. Words cannot express our appreciation for all of you.

Per her wishes, cremation has taken place with no services planned. Janice will get her final wish and be returned to Arizona in the near future. Memorials are suggested to Catholic Community Health, Hospice of Kansas City or Activities Program at Twin Oaks Health and Rehabilitation, Lansing, KS 66043.