Janice Funk, 83, of Keomah Village, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Pella Regional Health Center.
Janice Funk, daughter of Joe Tom Cowart and Evelyn Daugherty, was born on September 16, 1941, in Tecumseh, MO. Due to her mother’s job with Greyhound, they lived in several states before settling in Des Moines, IA, in 1950. Janice graduated from Des Moines Technical High School and then attended college in Des Moines. She fell in love with the neighbor boy, Ronnie, at age 12. On December 23, 1961, at the Des Moines Christian Church, Janice and Ronald Earl Funk were united in marriage. They lived in Des Moines until Mid-American Energy transferred Ronnie to Oskaloosa in 1968.
Janice’s first job in Oskaloosa was with Family Medical Center, where she worked from 1970 – 1973 and helped computerize their accounting system. She was then hired by Mahaska Oil Company and worked there for 14 years. She worked at Mich Coal Company for three years before going to work with her mother at Iowa Travel and then starting E.T. Travel in Oskaloosa.
Janice enjoyed many hobbies and activities throughout her life; she loved bowling and, at one time, was the highest scorer in Oskaloosa; she was part of the Bowling Hall of Fame and participated in 25 bowling tournaments. Janice was an avid Bingo player; she regularly played in Oskaloosa and Tama. She even enjoyed stopping on road trips for a Bingo game. Playing golf and motorcycle riding with good friends were a few of her favorite activities. Janice and Ronnie were married for over 60 years; as she looked back at her life, she expressed her thankfulness for their many friends, her nieces and nephews, and her faith in God for making her life rich and full.
Her family includes her siblings: Jerry Thomas (Maria) Cowart of Mammoth, AZ, Cheryl Jean (Ron ) Turner of Ankeny, and Arthur Douglas (Kathy Creese) Thompson of Waukee; nephews and nieces: Valerie (Randy Jackson of Des Moines, Debbie Cowart of Dallas, TX, Leslee R. Judson of Des Moines, Regina (Mark) Melvin of Ankeny, Scott Turner of Ankeny, Derald Judson Jr. of Altoona.
In addition to her parents, Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Ronnie, a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon Kaye and Derald Judson, and two nephews, Brett and Mark Cowart.
Funeral services for Janice will be held on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory in Oskaloosa, with Rev. Molly Goodrich from First Christian Church officiating. Visitation will begin on Friday at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Memorial contributions may be made in her name written to Cheryl Turner to help the nieces and nephews with their college educations.
