Janice Eilerts, age 85, of West Point, Nebraska passed away on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Franciscan Healthcare in West Point, NE. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, April 11, 2022 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, NE with Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt as celebrant. Interment will be in the St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery with a luncheon to follow at the Nielsen Community Center. Visitation will be on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service and Rosary at 6:00 p.m., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the visitation will continue on Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Minnick Funeral Home in West Point, NE. Arrangements by Minnick Funeral Home in West Point.
Janice Marie (Harstick) Eilerts was born on February 1, 1937 to William and Irene (Seeman) Harstick in West Point, NE. She had two younger sisters, Henrietta and Joan, whom she adored dearly. She and her sister Henrietta were in the same grade in school at District 45 and they both graduated from Guardian Angels School in 1955. On June 20, 1959, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, Janice married James Eilerts. Janice was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Ladies Guild and Christian Mothers.
Janice worked at Bert’s Drug Store, JC Penney, Parr’s and at St. Mary’s Rectory for 20 plus years, but her most enjoyable (challenging) job was raising her 5 children. She was a devoted wife and mother and was truly blessed with 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, with 3 more on the way this year. After Janice retired from St. Mary’s, her hobbies consisted of attending her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s birthdays and activities, along with daily trips to McDonalds and Dairy Queen. She also enjoyed traveling to various countries and anywhere her nephew David and Jody Wolken were living at that time. Janice always enjoyed her monthly classmate luncheons and she was always ready to go whenever someone asked. As one would say, “She would always have one foot out the door”. She was known by many, other than just her family, as ‘Grandma Janice.’
Janice had numerous favorite sayings that her children and grandchildren truly enjoyed, such as: “Patience is a virtue”, “You yuger”, “If not one thing it’s the same thing.” and “ya, ya, ya, ya” “awck”
Survived by:
Son, Bill (Pam) Eilerts of Stanton, NE and family-Adam (Jaime) Eilerts & Joslyn,
James (Katrina) Eilerts & Chloe, Jacey Eilerts, Rick (Genny) Ristau & Mason, Dreyvn, Paisley and Cameron, Ryan Ristau, Brianna (Nelson) Vollbrecht & Taya and Alex, and Brant Ristau
Son, Mike (Connie) Eilerts of West Point, NE and family-
Ashley (Shane) Lofgren, Harper, Jett, Jema and Cole
Maria (Ross) Budweg, Claire and Hendrik
Ben (Julia) Eilerts, Emma and Micah
Daughter, Susie (Ken) Wordekemper of West Point, NE and family-
Nichole (Brett) Bender & Krew
Sara Wordekemper and Drew Schmidt
Brooke Wordekemper
Son, Bob (Damaris) Eilerts of Algona, IA and family-
Lia Eilerts, Lily Eilerts, and Lesly Eilerts
Daughter, Lori (Dean) Batenhorst of Bennington, NE and family-
Kenny Batenhorst
Jake Batenhorst and fiancé Abby Jonas
Sister, Henrietta Ruskamp of Howells, NE
Sister, Joan (Ron) Wolken of West Point, NE
Sister-in-law, Cleo (Norman) Hollander of Albuquerque, NM
And many nieces and nephews.
Proceeded in death by her husband James, granddaughter Tracy, grandson Aaron, parents, William and Irene Harstick and parents-in-law August and Clella Eilerts.