Janice M. Heinz, 72

Janice M. Heinz

Rolette, North Dakota Janice M. (Tastad) Heinz passed away on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, North Dakota with her loving family by her side.

Janice Marie, daughter of Walter and Marian (Brady) Tastad was born on April 11, 1945 in Rolette. She attended Rolette Public School and graduated from Rolette High School in 1963. Janice continued her higher education at both Mayville State Teacher’s College and Minot State College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education.

Janice was united in marriage to Kay Heinz on May 29, 1965 in Rolette. They established their home on the Tastad Homestead farm, rural Rolette, where they lived, worked, and raised their family through the years. In 2006, they moved into Rolette.

Janice’s passions were three fold: faith, family/ friends, and teaching. She was an active member of Valle Lutheran Church, including WELCA, Quilting, Sunday school and many other church activities. She volunteered at the Rolette Library, Rolette Community Care Center and many other community events. Janice continued her love of playing the drums as a member of the Rolette Community Band.

She shared her love for life with Kay, her children, grandchildren, family and friends through golfing, fishing, flower/vegetable gardening, canning, square dancing, playing cards, bowling, ping pong tournaments, traveling, attending her children and grandchildren’s events, and trying to hit the big jackpot at the casino. Janice’s love for baking was enjoyed by her family, as well as the whole Rolette Community. Her door was always open and you never left hungry. Janice’s children and grandchildren were her pride and joy, the reason for the sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her face.

In her 40+ years as a teacher, Janice taught several grade levels in Rolla, Rolette and Willow City. By sharing her love of learning, she dedicated countless hours towards enriching the lives of her students and her entire school family. In her final days, she reminisced about how she loved teaching and stated, “Oh, I loved all my students.” Many young lives were truly blessed by Janice and we can hear the heavenly school bells ring out, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Janice’s loving family include her husband Kay; daughters Elaine (Dave) Hurn, Granada, MN, and Annjanette Jenkins, Rolette, ND; sons Jonathan (Cherry) Heinz, New Rockford, ND and Jason (Jackie) Heinz, Rolette, ND; grandchildren Dalton, Carson and Ethan Hurn; Makenzie (Craig) Gartner, Makayla (Tyler) Nepp and Madeline Jenkins; Hannah and Chloe Heinz; Sierra, Karesse and Ariah Heinz; great grandson Elliot Nepp; brothers Jerry (Sharon) Tastad, Columbia, IL, Reuben (Sue) Tastad, Moses Lake, WA and Randy (Shari) Tastad, Wenatchee, WA; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Ronnie (Betty) Heinz, Overly, ND, Jay (Carrie) Heinz, Rolette, ND and Bonnie (Ole) Teigen, Cottage Grove, MN; uncle Kenneth Brady, Burlington, WA; aunt Joan Brady, Mt. Vernon, WA; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.