Janice (Kundert) Venrick was born Feb 23, 1936 to Elton and Topsy (Vesta Aileen Gurtner) Kundert in Akron, Colorado.  She was their first-born but soon joined by sister Nancy and later by Joan and brother John.

Janice passed: 20 June 2023.

The Kundert family never had much money and often moved throughout the county and sometimes towards the mountains looking for work.  Finally however, they did settle down in Washington County and became valued members of the Akron Community.

Janice attended different single-room elementary and middle schools in Washington County; Ashland and Hyde country schools to name a couple local ones.

Janice attended Akron High School, graduating 1954.

As a high school senior, she was honored as the Home Coming Queen.

Janice was also selected as the 1954 Rodeo Queen for the Eastern Colorado Round-Up.

Janice worked at Schaefer's Drug Store as a clerk and 'soda jerk', a job which she loved, and she spoke often about how wonderful Rollie Schaefer was as a boss.

One of her greatest regrets during her High School experience was being barred from joining the High School FFA club because she was a girl.

In the end, she had the last laugh, as Janice became one of the most productive, active and seriously dedicated farm/ranch gals in Washington County.

Janice stacked bales, drove tractors and trucks, monitored the cattle, pulled calves, dispatched rattlesnakes, raised two children, sponsored 4-H members and cooked for many hired hands.

No one went hungry when Janice was on duty.

Janice met and married Glenn Venrick, June 6, 1954.

Two children were born from this union:  Michael (Mickey)Venrick and Sari Venrick (Milsom).

Janice joined Glenn on the Venrick Family Farm where they worked and toiled for many years raising wheat, cattle, dairy cows, chickens, hogs and of course a family.  Often, times were tough on the farm…but many great memories were also made.

Janice always thought of herself as a farmer/rancher, wife, mother and partner with Glenn.

Janice was an avid collector of crystal, depression glass and dolls.  She and Glenn frequented many antique toy and doll shows, their home became a showplace of quality collectibles enjoyed by many family, friends and even school children.

Over the years, Janice and Glenn hosted many family reunions, picnics and family get-togethers at the Farm.   Friends and kin from all around and many states would visit these special get-togethers.

In 2012, the Venrick Farm received the Centennial Farm Award from Colorado - One-Hundred Year Farm in the same family …the pinnacle of hard work and perseverance to take something humble and make it great and memorable.

After her husband Glenn's passing, Janice reunited with Don Hale (a high school acquaintance).  They had a grand time getting reacquainted until Don's passing July 2015.

Janice was active in the Merry Mariette's, Colorado/Washington County Cattlemen's Association, the Akron Lion's Auxiliary club and her sorority Laureate Beta Epsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi.

Every Christmas Janice joined with her special friends, Bernita Alt, Laura Reed and Nancy Florian to make cookies and candies.  It was a factory of delicious treats and the family could not wait for the Holidays to indulge!

Janice's touchstone was always the Akron Methodist Church.  Her faith was strong. She was a long time member with her husband, and children.  She loved hosting hospitality events, teaching Sunday school and worshipping with her friends and family in Christ.

Janice was one of the hardest working and most able persons ever known.  Into her 80's, she mowed her lawn and homestead, planted flowers, picked weeds (her specialty), and proudly hoisted her American Flag.  Still, she always had time to visit and share a bowl of ice cream with family and friends.  No matter who dropped in at the Farm, Janice always whipped up a delicious meal or treat.

Janice had many wonderful friends and touched many lives and will be missed by her children, family, friends and community members.

Left to mourn her passing are:  Sari (Greg) Milsom, Mick (Deb) Venrick, grandchildren Evan (and g.g.d. Ava Grace) Venrick, Connor (Jennifer and greats Noah Kai and Caroline Elise Venrick), along with many nieces, nephews and adopted granddaughters (Julie Starr and Chelsea Starr Gardner), sibs, Nancy (Bob) Florian, Joan (Bob) Chase and John (Terri) Kundert and many more friends and family.

Our world is now smaller with Janice's passing…but Heaven is now a much richer place.

A funeral service will be held Friday, June 23, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church of Akron.  Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to the Akron Lions Club or to the United Methodist Church of Akron.