RED WING — Janice Mae Eppard, age 87, formerly of Red Wing, died Wednesday, June 5, 2019. A service of memory will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 15, at First Covenant Church, 2302 Twin Bluff Rd., in Red Wing, Minn. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 14, at First Covenant Church in Red Wing, and one hour prior to the service Saturday, June 15.

She was born, along with her twin sister, on Oct. 24, 1931, in Tracy, Minn., to Walter and Anna (Clay) Moon. Janice attended elementary school in Amiret, Minn., and graduated from Tracy High School in 1949. She earned a teaching degree from Mankato State Teacher’s College in 1951 and taught at the elementary school in Worthington, Minn.

She married Marvin Eppard on Aug. 16, 1952.

Her gift and passion was teaching children, beginning with her own daughters and sons. She served as the children’s librarian at National College of Education in Evanston, Ill., while her husband attended seminary. While living in Madelia, Lakefield, Perham and Fairmont, Minn., St. Charles, Mo., Nome, Alaska, and following retirement, in Red Wing, Minn., she continually taught children’s church school classes. Once her children were in school, she began to volunteer as a tutor and then served as a teacher’s aide in the public schools. While in Missouri, she was among the founders of Friends Forever Preschool where she taught for seven years. In Nome, she served as a substitute teacher and as assistant librarian in the public school. Whenever Janice saw a child, a smile came to her face and her hand reached out in gentle kindness.

Janice made hospitality a genuine and gifted career. She was known for her beautiful and tasty Swedish tea rings, which she made with love as gifts on numerous occasions. Decorated in simplicity, her home was always inviting and comfortable for guests.

Janice is survived by her husband, Marvin; two daughters, Janette (John) Benzen, Ruth (David) Anderson; two sons, Paul (Maren) Eppard, Robert (Sarah) Eppard; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Ross (Marianne) Benzen (and their children Natalie and Eli), Hugh (Brittni) Benzen (and their son Trey), Nora Benzen; Christopher and Jason Anderson; Berit, Mikaela and Tate Eppard; Madeline Eppard; brothers, Frank (Betty) Moon, Dwight (Jean) Moon; sister-in-law, Jean Moon; and foster daughter Lisa Hasledalen.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her sister, Mary Ann Moon; her brother, Dwayne Moon; her twin sister, Joanne Becklund who died eight days before Janice; and her brother-in-law Morris Becklund.

The family suggests First Covenant Church Building Fund and Alaska Christian College for memorial gifts.

Online condolences maybe sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]