Janice Eickholt

Janice Eickholt, 72, passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, her daughter's home, under the care of a Hospice of the Red River Valley, after a short battle with cancer.

Janice Pearl was the third child born to Doran and Mabel (Bramsen) Vaughn. She grew up in New York Mills and later the family moved to Bloomington, where Jan graduated from Kennedy High School and met her future husband while working at McDonald's.

Rick and Jan were united in marriage in 1972 and raised 2 daughters, Lorie and Cathy, in Fergus Falls where they moved to in 1980.

Jan had many jobs over the years including 1st National Bank, Ponderosa, Fleet Farm, Walmart, Fergus Falls Public School and Ben Franklin along with many wonderful coworkers. Jan retired in June 2023 when the Ben Franklin Store closed.

Jan had a craft store in the Westridge Mall in 1985 called Jan's Crafts. Crafting was a favorite hobby of Jan's as well as league bowling, fishing, and gardening. Even though Jan never learned to swim, her favorite activity was spending time at the lake with family. Rick and Jan along with their daughters and their families shared a seasonal spot at Swan Lake Resort for many years. She even braved the deep water but never strayed too far from the boat unless she was waterskiing.

Jan loved to travel whether it was her and Rick going to Las Vegas or Florida, or a girl's trip to Medora, she was up for an adventure. Probably her favorite trip was taking her entire family to San Diego in 2019 to revisit and explore where they all lived in 1978 before moving to Fergus Falls in 1980.

Jan is survived by her husband, Rick of 52 years; two daughters, Lorie (David) Obowa and Cathy (Bryan) Swanson; four grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Ashley, Dylan, and Emma; three siblings, Diane Wood, Duane (Cathy Anderson) Vaughn, and Jim (Evonne) Vaughn and sister-in-law, Deb (Dave) Erlandson along with many nieces and nephews.

Jan is preceded in death by her parents, Doran and Mabel Vaughn and her in-laws, Eugene and Ardell Eickholt.

Thank you to the staff at Cancer Care and Research Center and Lake Region Healthcare Center. Even though her time with them was short, she left their care and called them friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lake Region Healthcare Cancer Care and Research Center in Fergus Falls.

Per her wishes there will be a Celebration of Life 1 p.m. - 4 p.m., on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Bigwood Event Center in Fergus Falls. Casual dress preferred.

Assistance provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com