Obituary
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Janice G. (Whaley) Thielsen, 85, of Flandreau, SD, passed away of complications due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Riverview Healthcare Center.
Janice was born on the family homestead 9 ½ miles west of Flandreau, SD on March 31, 1935 to Cy and Blanch (Thomas) Whaley. The youngest of five children, Janice attended the Whaley Country School through the third grade. Her family then moved to Flandreau and she attended Spafford Grade School and Flandreau High School. She was the class treasurer her sophomore and junior years in high school, and president in her senior year. Janice also participated in National Forensic League, National Honor Society, All-State Chorus, one act plays, dramatics, debate, Declam and vocal. Janice was nominated for homecoming queen and was a librarian. During the summer months, she would sing with the high school band on the steps of the courthouse. After high school, Janice’s father wanted her to attend college; but she opted to marry her high school sweetheart, George Thielsen, on July 3, 1953 while he was on a 3-day pass during the Korean War. The two traveled to many places together while he served state side; and Janice lived with her parents when George was eventually deployed.
Janice worked at many jobs including a shoe factory, a dime store, two different banks, an attorney’s office, the ASCS office, and even a sporting goods store as a debt collector. Despite her many occupations, Janice’s most cherished role was raising and caring for her family. She was an excellent cook, and a loving mother and wife. When George returned from the war, Janice helped him to graduate from college and the two started a family. From then until her youngest child was a junior in high school, Janice was a stay-at-home mother who took care of the family sheep - an undertaking that earned her the nickname “Bo-peep”.