ROGERS — Janice Elaine Metcalf Muetzel

was born in Springfield, Mass., 97 years ago, to Verna Pauline and Robert Kelly Metcalf. She spent only four short years stateside before her family returned to Canada.

She grew up in Toronto, attending the neighborhood schools, ultimately receiving her Bachelor of Physical and Health Education from the University of Toronto, in 1948. Janice has maintained dual citizenship in honor of her American mother and Canadian father.

Always an outdoors and sports enthusiast, Jan preferred to be outside on the lake, boating, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, swimming, hiking, and camping, instead of being indoors with more traditional activities. Some might say she was an “athletic sportswoman.” In high school, she was tapped to be a squadron leader during the Second World War, training 30 high school students in the necessary drills. She always found leadership roles, when volunteering, in an effort to help her community. One of the most impactful experiences Jan had as a young woman, which shaped her lifelong mission, was when she attended summer camp, and went for a swim in the lake with other campers; unfortunately, she wasn’t a swimmer at the time and almost drowned. It was not easy for her to learn to swim, but she did and went on to teach thousands of people the lifesaving skill of swimming. In 1949, she attended and received her certificate from Ontario Teachers College.

Jan married Phill Hansel in 1949, and moved to the United States, where they started their family of six children and a number of swimming schools; most notable was the Hansel Swim Academy in Houston, Texas, which produced a long list of happy and successful swimmers. They were known for their coaching at the Shamrock Hilton Pool and attended a number of Olympics on the coaching staff. Swim competitions took Jan to many events across the globe. In 2016, Jan was inducted into the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame for her efforts as the team manager of the Shamrock Swim Team. Years later, enchanted by the beauty of northwest Arkansas, Jan moved to Rogers and started the Rogers Athletic Club, Rogers Swim Team, and Bentonville Swim Team (later known as The Wal-Mart Swim Team). Always active, she became a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Beaver Lake U.S. Power Squadron, N.W.A. Water Safety Council, Beaver Lake Boat Club, and Beaver Lake Breeze Lovers Sail Club. Jan founded and directed The Special Education Swim Team, giving local children the opportunity to participate in the Special Olympics.

Given her love for the beauty of the Ozarks, she quickly became interested in real estate. She was not only a successful real estate agent, but also the first person to be inducted into the “Million Dollar Sale Club” in northwest Arkansas. An active lifelong member of the church, with a deep faith in God, Jan has felt blessed to have received numerous awards and has continued to volunteer during her later years.

In 1995, she founded the Lighthouse Society, and in 2004, the Nautical Museum. Jan also worked tirelessly to obtain the property for The Rogers Adult Wellness Center. Not only did she participate in the Senior Olympics over the years, bringing home medals each time she competed, but she was also a hospice volunteer, where she met, and later married, Dean Muetzel. They were married for 31 years before Alzheimer’s took him. Jan participated in the Alzheimer’s walks for over 10 years to honor Dean.

Her involvement in supporting the Rogers community has always been a priority in her life. She will be remembered by her children as a woman of strong faith. They recalled numerous times how God provided for her, throughout her life, in tough times, or for special projects that she would “dream up,” which always amazed them and strengthened their own personal faith.

As a mother, she was an inspiration to get out and get things done; she was tough, resilient, and not one to cry – she was a doer. Her life experiences and example taught them about love and tolerance. She showed them how to live as an example of one’s beliefs and to serve others. She exemplified living through challenges with grace and humor. She promoted curiosity and encouraged people to do their best and then some.

Her extroverted nature, desire to stay active and involved in her community, as well as her enjoyment of outdoor sports, camping, swimming, and volunteering, will live on, not only in her children, but in all of the many lives she has touched. Jan enjoyed living on Beaver Lake, watching the birds in the morning as she studied the scriptures. She was delighted when neighbors stopped by and every time family came to visit her at “Snug Harbor.”

She was joyful each day to have lived the life she did and was comfortable sharing her faith and belief in God and knows without His guidance, none of her life would have been possible. She was truly “Joyful Jan.”

Jan is preceded in death by her beloved parents; her sister, Beverly Martin; and brother, Bill Metcalf.

She is survived by her brother, Rob, and wife, Sue Metcalf; and sister-in-law, Barb Metcalf; her devoted children and their spouses, Ginger Hansel, and husband, Peter VanOveren, Vern Tejas, and wife, Carol Tejas, Phillip Hansel, and wife, Kathleen Hansel, David Hansel, and wife, Christie Hansel, Janus Lazaris, and husband, John Lazaris, Carin Hansel Trant, and husband, Rickey Trant; including over 20 grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and extended family and friends in Christ. She will be greatly missed.

Jan’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at Fellowship Bible Church of Northwest Arkansas at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in the Training Center Chapel, 1051 West Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, Ark., 72758.

The family extends their deepest appreciation for your love and kindness in the many thoughtful ways you have helped care for their mother. In lieu of flowers, her family requested donations to be made to any of Jan’s favorite organizations: Rogers Public Library, The League of Women Voters, Salvation Army, or the Circle of Life Hospice in northwest Arkansas. Online condolences to: www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com.