Janice Barbara Nygaard Nelson, born on June 6, 1938, in rural Hendrum, MN, to Oliver and Bernice (Bjordahl) Nygaard, passed away peacefully in Fargo with family at her side. Janice’s early life was marked by a dedication to education, graduating from Grand Forks Central in 1956 and the University of North Dakota, summa cum laude, in 1960. She then started working in research at Parke-Davis in Ann Arbor, Michigan for one year.

Janice returned to Grand Forks and on June 22, 1961, at United Lutheran Church, she married Dennis Raymond Nelson of rural Sheyenne, ND, who was studying for his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at UND. Together, they built a life filled with love and service. Janice’s favorite story from her time at UND was meeting her husband Dennis in an organic chemistry lab, where she did an honors project in biochemistry, and he was a graduate student participant in her research study.

During her professional journey in Fargo, ND, she continued to excel. She worked at multiple hospital clinical chemistry laboratories and rose to the Chief Technologist position in each laboratory. She took some time off to focus on her young family and later obtained her North Dakota teaching certification and began teaching in West Fargo. As her children grew, she reentered the hospital field, and earned a Master of Business Administration. She was honored as Fargo-Moorhead Boss of the Year, appointed by Governor Ed Schafer and then by Governor John Hoeven (Current United States Senator for North Dakota) to the North Dakota State Board of Medical Technology, and eventually retired as Executive Partner for Laboratory Services for the MeritCare Health System in 2002. Even after her retirement, she served six years on the Board of Directors of Bethany Retirement Living. She was a role model and mentor to many young women throughout her career.

Janice’s true passion was caring for others. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, always putting her family first. Her love was evident in the countless hours she spent planning weekly itineraries for grandma and grandpa camp, sewing special items for her children and grandchildren, from Little House on the Prairie dresses and bonnets to Halloween costumes, pajamas and bathrobes. Janice’s baking was legendary, with home-baked cookies always ready for family and visitors. She couldn’t resist turning rhubarb into as many variations as possible, proudly using a variety passed down in her family. She even learned to make cream puffs to bring comfort to her father-in-law in his final days.

Janice was an active member of Hope Lutheran Church, where she served and taught Sunday School. She cherished her time with friends, enjoying bridge, bowling, and heartfelt conversations around the kitchen table and traveling around the world with her husband and family. She was a devoted daughter and sister, caring for her parents in their final years through their struggles with Alzheimer’s.

Despite facing health challenges later in life, including arthritis and Alzheimer’s, Janice’s spirit remained strong. She spent nearly five years at Bethany on University until her passing, and despite the physical challenges, those years were filled with love and many caregivers who became adopted family to her and Dennis both.

Janice is survived by her husband of over 63 years, Dennis; her brother Donald Eugene Nygaard (Georgia) of St. Paul, MN; her son David of Minneapolis, MN; her daughter Barbara (Jerry) Johnson of Huntington Woods, MI, and granddaughters Annika, Maari, and Elli; and her daughter Laurie Nelson of Princeton, NJ, and grandsons Parker, Tate, and Leo.

Janice’s legacy of love and care will forever be cherished by her family and friends.

Memorials in honor of Janice can be directed to Bethany Retirement Living (Fargo) https://app.givingheartsday.org/#/charity/253 or Prairie Home Cemetery, PO Box 631, New Rockford, ND 58356.

Janice’s Visitation will be Monday, March 31, 2025 from 9:30AM – 10:30AM followed by a Funeral Service at 10:30AM at Hope Lutheran Church, North Campus, Fargo, ND.

Her Interment will be in the Nelson family plot at the Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford, ND.