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She was the oldest of five children born in St. Louis, Missouri to Charles and Esther Cates on January 11, 1932. Her father was in the Air Force, so she went to school in many different places, including Japan and Hawaii.
Janice met George Johnson in June of 1956. They courted then married on November 22, 1956. Together they raised five sons in Southern California.
Janice was active in Knott Avenue Christian Church in Anaheim, California. She was a part of the ladies ministries and led the group for a while. She studied to become a sign language interpreter and this became her ministry for the deaf. She studied nursing and worked as a CNA in a nursing home.
Looking towards retirement, she and George built a home in Idyllwild, California. After living there for two years, they decided on a new adventure and moved to Porthill in 1995.
Together they started a small orchard, named Mountain View Orchards, which grew to be probably the largest u-pick orchard in Boundary County.
They celebrated 60 years of marriage on November 22, 2016.
Janice was an active member of First Christian Church in Sandpoint and in the Porthill community. She was a member of the Mt. Hall Volunteer Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary and the Porthill Bunco Chicks. She was well known for her witty smile, mischievous attitude and sparkly blue eyes.
Janice dearly loved her family, especially her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, George Johnson, siblings Joyce, Kenny and Deanna, sons Paul (Dawn), Craig (Janice), Leslie (Heidi), and Noland (Judy) and daughter-in-law Lynne; 13 grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Doug, and her beloved son, Lloyd.