JANICE PAULINE RODVIK

JANICE PAULINE RODVIK

September 24, 1930-November 19, 2024

Janice Pauline (Hegge) Rodvik was born September 24, 1930 in Ortonville, MN. Her parents, Raymond and Nora (Scholberg) Hegge, farmed in Big Stone County. Janice graduated from Ortonville High School in 1948. After high school, Janice attended and graduated from Glenwood Hills Hospital School of Psychiatric Nursing. Her nursing and healthcare business career spanned many years, and included work in Willmar, Minneapolis, Franklin, and Redwood Falls.

Janice’s love of music and her dedication to playing the piano, organ, and singing in church began at a young age. At age thirteen she took organ lessons and thus began her career as a church musician. Her gift of music was shared with many over a span of 81 years, and as a piano and organ teacher, she inspired many young musicians.

Janice married Marvin S. Rodvik on September 1, 1951. She worked as a nurse in Minneapolis while Marvin finished college. In 1957, they moved to Franklin, MN and she called it home for 57 years. After living in Franklin for several years, Marv and Jan believed there was a need in Renville County to provide skilled health care for elderly citizens. Together they established Franklin Heights Nursing Home in 1961. Two years later, the Rodviks built another nursing home in Cosmos, MN. As the administrator, Janice employed and mentored many over the years. It brought her great joy to establish lasting friendships with staff, residents, and their families. She delighted in the summer ice cream socials with the polka band, and the Christmas Eve program she and her family put on for the residents and their families.

Janice loved her church family and the local community and was involved in many church, ecumenical and civic activities. Her involvement with the music committee, choirs, the famous “Sisters of St. Luke’s” women's choir, WELCA, the annual Fall Bazaar, and the St. Luke’s prayer group blessed her life. Jan and Marv helped establish the radio program from St. Luke’s, Moments with the Master, which was broadcast on KLGR every Sunday morning for many years. The door was always open for anyone to pop in for coffee and a visit. This included many of her children’s friends who would stop by to say hi. November hunting season gave her a good reason to cook up a hearty meal for the hunters. Her hospitality extended to many, including the surprise twenty-five Jefferson Bus Line passengers who were stranded in Franklin during a Minnesota blizzard!

Camping trips were a part of the Rodvik family life. In 1970 on a trip to Canada, they picked up a young Italian hitchhiker, Marco Scura. From that day forward, Marco became part of their family.

During their retirement years, Jan and Marv toured around the country by motorhome. She enjoyed traveling to Europe, especially celebrating their 50th anniversary with family and friends in Norway during Syttende Mai. She also looked forward to going back to her hometown for the annual class reunion where she would reconnect with her many cousins, family and friends. Janice loved their Florida home, especially walking the beach, collecting shark teeth, shells, and attending Gospel concerts with Marv and friends.

In 1987 Janice returned to the workforce to assist in the development of the first Adult Day Care Center in Redwood Falls. This was a rewarding endeavor for her and she reveled in outstanding co-worker and client connections.

In 2014 Janice moved to Westview Acres in Waconia, MN. She was actively involved in this retirement community, making new friends, participating in weekly Bible Studies, and playing piano for choir, mass and chapel worship services.

As a life-long learner, little did Janice know that she would spend months and years re-learning to speak after her stroke and subsequent aphasia in 2015. She was thankful to be able to participate in the MnCAN support group that helped her navigate life with aphasia. Attending this support group was a highlight of her week and she was very thankful for those new friends and her speech therapist. A fun fact about this group was the wonderful choir that was formed. A highlight was the choir leading the Minnesota Twins baseball fans in singing the National Anthem at the annual Strike out Stroke event at Target Field.

Janice remained positive and joyful, even while experiencing health challenges. At age 94 she continued to share her gift of music at Westview and at St. Luke’s for special services. Janice was an inspiration to many with her strong faith, daily prayer life, and unshakeable confidence in God’s promise through His Son Jesus Christ.

Janice passed away November 19, 2024 at Ridgeview Medical Center surrounded by loved ones.

Janice is survived by her five children, Karsten, Martha (Steve) Clinehens, Miriam (Charlie) Billings, Ann (Andy) Spurbeck, John (Lucy) Rodvik, and Marco Scura (Christine); eleven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Jofy Miller, Carol Rodvik, Barbara Rodvik, Norma Rodvik; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Marvin; and sister and brother-in-law Rae Ann and Lionel Gilbertson.

A Celebration of Life in honor of Janice will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025, 11:00 a.m., at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 110 2nd Avenue East, Franklin, MN. The joy of the Lord was Janice’s strength and she wanted her service to be joyful. And with a smile, she told her family, “Don’t wear black to my funeral, wear something colorful." After the service, please join us for a meal and fellowship. Interment will be at 4:30 p.m., Oak Hill Memorial Park in New London, MN.

The family is being assisted by Cremation Society of Minnesota, https://cremationsocietyofmn.com/

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. The service will be recorded and made available to view online later via Facebook.