Janice Williams
Janice Lee Christie Williams went to be with her Lord and Savior on the morning of April 9, 2024.
Jan came into this world on June 9, 1938, the first born daughter of LeGrande and Ella Geisler. She was born and raised in Valley City, ND. Although the true story was never told, LeGrande lost out on what he believed was the perfect name for his daughter. Ella said, "She looks like a Janice" and that name stuck.
Early years in Valley City included trips to the family farm. There Jan learned to love young lambs and cows. Even helping to milk cows that they made butter and cream to share with the family. She truly enjoyed the farm life! Later on she started her summer jobs as a lifeguard at the community pool. She could be outside all day and swimming endless laps in the pool. Once as an adult, she swam from Fort Totten Bay to Creel Bay, on Devils Lake, just because she could - a trip of over five miles!
After graduating from Valley City High School she attended the University of North Dakota. Jan joined a sorority and met many great sisters. She also met Bob Christie and the summer of 1957 they were married in Valley City.
They moved to a new home in Devils Lake they bought the ownership of the Topper Motel. As a young wife in a new town the motel was probably not the best job, but she soon found that she enjoyed the customers that came to stay.
In the summer of 1958 Jan became the mother to her first son, Bob - or Bobby as the family would call him. In the following years Greg, Todd and Scott would be brought into this world. Jan loved her boys but we all know, deep in her heart she wished one was a girl. The boys disagree.
Jan loved to cook, bake, sew, and entertain. She was always creating new food dishes, baking delicious pies and cookies. Entertaining her sorority families with lavish buffet style meals was so fun.
But her true joy was sewing, making annual trips to Fargo and Minneapolis to get just the right fabric from Mrs. Blows. She was always making holiday outfits, jackets and pants for the boys, or making a new dress for herself. Later taking on the challenge of knitting hats, scarves, sweaters and mittens to share with the family brought her endless joy which she continued throughout her life.
Jan also loved her twenty years of singing and playing the organ at the Presbyterian Church in Devils Lake. She really enjoyed music.
The motel was sold in 1975, which brought new adventures. She was so proud of her involvement with Chautauqua Summer event in Devils Lake. Later becoming one of the founding members of the Senior Meals and RSVP programs and loving the connection with the senior community in Devils Lake. These programs continue today in Devils Lake.
Meeting and mentoring Mexican families through the Intercambrio program, that brought students to town for educational and cultural learning filled several summers and led to trips to visit those families in Mexico.
Bob and Jan were divorced in 1980 and Jan decided to continue her education moving to Fargo and attending NDSU receiving her Masters Degree in Psychology. Of course, she couldn't stop there, she loved to learn! So off to the University of Georgia for their Doctoral program and becoming a Bulldog fan. Ending up with three different degrees made her very proud.
As fate would have it, one day Jan had car trouble and was told she needed a new ride. She went to one of the local dealerships and talked to salesman, Dale Williams. Well, she bought the car and married Dale. They made their life on a beautiful property in the North Georgia mountains, where they lived to this day. Jan loved her mountains, with morning devotions on the deck, soaking up the sunshine with her Bible, her writings and a hot cup of water with lemon.
Jan was always a spiritual person. The church, her Bible study and prayer were a major part of life in Georgia. So much so that she started Voices of Prayer and Intercessory Prayer. Reaching out to churches and large business corporations, teaching them the benefits of Prayer.
There were even trips to Norway and Australia to guide people in the world of prayer. She had so much fun in Norway, connecting with her heritage and even met family members while she was there. Stories of these trips could go on forever!
Other loves of Jan's included gardening and plants, her furry friends, the Precious Moments collecting and maybe a favorite - sunsets.
She is survived by her husband, Dale Williams, sons and daughter in-laws, Bob and Tracy Christie, Todd and Brenda, Greg Christie and Scott Christie; 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, brother-in-law Curt Kvilvang and adopted daughter and special friend, niece Elisa Kvilvang Bergstrand. She was proceeded in death by her mom and dad, sister Rae Marie Kvilvang, Linda Christie and Peggy Christie, both wives of Greg.
A Celebration of Life will be held this Summer in Valley City.