Janice M. Madsen, 83 years old, passed away, September 12, 2024, at Monument Health in Rapid City.
Janice was born, October 16, 1940, in Rapid City, SD, to Henry A. and Blanche A. (Williams) Stout. She made the front page of the local paper, as the first baby to be in the new incubator at the area hospital due to her size. Janice was raised in Chadron, Nebraska with her three younger siblings, Larry, Ronald, and Sandy. She graduated from Chadron, High School in May of 1958. After graduation she married William L. Johnston in August of 1958. They had two children, Arnold B. born in 1959 at Ellsworth, AFB, and Cynthia M. born in 1960 at Andersen, AFB in Guam. After leaving the military, they moved back to Chadron and became the proud owners of the Daisy Queen for a few years before selling and moving to Rapid City, SD in 1969.
Janice worked many years for Landstrom’s Black Hills Gold. When she decided it was time for a change of pace, she went to work for Herberger’s in the Rushmore Mall. To keep herself busy and ensure a sense of fulfillment, she baked cakes for family, friends, and sales. She also enjoyed her side jobs of selling Avon and Tupperware. She got back into the jewelry business when she went to work for Stamper’s Black Hills Gold. She was there until she lost William in 1996. She started working for Payless Shoe Stores until she fully retired in 2007. Janice moved to Sturgis, SD, after meeting Bruce Madsen. They got married in 2009. She enjoyed spending time together with Bruce and family, dancing, socializing, and spoiling their beloved dog Zoey. She also enjoyed her monthly outings with the Red Hat Society. Bruce passed away in 2016. After his passing, Janice moved to Black Hawk, SD to spend her remaining time near her children. Janice lived with her daughter Cindy. She was a very loving and caring woman. Janice was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, and friend to all. Her children and grandchildren were the light of her life.
She is survived by her children: Arnold B. Johnston (Deb) Black Hawk, SD, Cynthia M. Rose, Black Hawk, SD, sister Sandra (Chasek) Hermansen, Chadron, NE, Grandchildren: Kristina M. Rose (Boyd), Kenneth R. Rose (Renee), Melissa Whealy Rose (Nick), Christopher Cox (Lynne), and Whitney Williams, and many great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands William L. Johnston, and Bruce Madsen, brothers Larry and Ronald, one grandchild, her son-in-law Kenneth V. Rose, and daughter-in-law Karen Williams Johnston.