Janice Irene Viernow died the morning of March 17, 2025 peacefully. She was born Janice Irene Christensen to parents Frank and Flora Christensen April 8, 1941.  She was a beautiful baby with sparkling blue eyes and a lovely smile. She graduated from Sherrard High School in 1959 and then headed to Illinois State to become a teacher. The summer before her college graduation she met a handsome fellow named Jerry on the Davenport One Ways. They immediately began a whirlwind courtship. After she graduated from college, they married June 16, 1963 at Beulah Presbyterian Church in Orion, Il. She taught in the Rock Island school district for a few years; and then along came Jon, their first-born, in 1966. They had four children in five years: Jon, Jane, Jeff and Matt.

Janice went back to teaching in the Sherrard School District once all four kids were in school. She was an outstanding teacher – would teach any grade the administration would assign her to. One year she had almost 40 kindergarteners in one class at the exact same time. It was orderly and learning flourished! Janice was amazing. She was a loving and dedicated teacher. Later, she served on the Sherrard School Board; one year she even served as the High School Cheerleading Coach!

Janice loved to read. And she was an expert seamstress. When the family lived on 26th Street in Rock Island she made and sold Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls of all sizes. For a few years during her retirement from teaching she made dozens of beautiful quilts. She became an expert cookie baker after her son Jon died in 2003. No one could make cookies like Mema.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She sent her kids Christmas money every year because she wanted to be sure her grandkids always had a good Christmas.

She was loved and will be missed by many. She lived a wonderful life (and we haven't even touched on her teaching at the Hispanic preschool; buying coats for kids who needed them; working as a volunteer librarian; hosting two Japanese girls for Thanksgiving one year – the list goes on and on). She and her family were members of various churches. The last few weeks of her life scores of family members and friends spent time with her telling her how much they loved her.

She was preceded in death by her brother Ron Christensen, Son Jon Viernow; parents Frank and Flora Christensen; granddaughter Maggie Hinrichs and Beloved Husband Jerry Viernow. She just couldn't live without Jerry.

She is survived by her three children and their spouses; two siblings and their spouses; 11 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan, with visitation to be held one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Preemption Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, plants or gifts, memorials can be sent to the Sherrard Public Library, 501 3rd Street Sherrard, IL 61281.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.wheelanpressly.com.