A Funeral Mass for Janice Wanser, age 88, of Elkhorn, Nebraska formerly of O'Neill will be 10:30 am Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill with Fr. Ross Burkhalter officiating.  Burial will be in the O'Neill Cemetery.  Visitation will be 5-7 pm Monday, October 21, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7:00 pm Catholic Daughter Rosary.  Janice passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024 at Marquis Place in Elkhorn.  Memorials may be directed to the St. Patrick's Parish.  Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill is in charge of arrangements.

Janice Marie McAndrew was born May 30, 1936, in Ainsworth, Nebraska to Donovan and Leota (Woods) McAndrew.  She grew up on her grandparents' ranch 15 miles south of Woodlake, outside of Ainsworth.  Janice started school in a one room school house.  She and her two brothers rode horses 4 miles to school each day.  As a young girl, Janice loved to ice skate.  Later, Janice attended Ainsworth High School where she graduated in 1955.  She enjoyed going to Long Pine to dance to the jukebox, where she was well known for the Jitterbug.

From a young age, Janice enjoyed doing her mom and grandmother's hair.  She followed her passion for hair and graduated from beauty school in Norfolk before eventually opening her own salon in O'Neill when she was 21 years old.  It was this decision that set the rest of her life in motion.  Working in O'Neill, she met a young man named Terrance "Terry" Wanser.  After three years of dating, they married on May 28, 1960 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church.  This was one of the happiest moments of her life.

Janice was a very hard and dedicated worker her whole life.  After selling her beauty salon, Janice held many jobs, including doing the books at both the Legion Club and O'Neill Saw and Cycle, as well as working scales at the sale barn.  In retirement, she picked up a "fun" job at the sale barn restaurant working into her 70s because she enjoyed staying busy and loved being around people.

Janice was a member of St. Patrick's Church since the 1960s.  She was a member of Catholic Daughters until her death.

Janice loved many things.  Her home cooking brought everyone together; her kitchen was always a popular place for family and friends.  Homemade chicken noodle soup, sour cream chocolate cake, and cinnamon rolls were crowd favorites, some may say legendary.  Janice's hobbies included crocheting Afghans, shopping, and collecting Hallmark Christmas ornaments and Beanie Babies.  Although she had many passions, nothing came close to her love of family.  She was very proud of her sons and adored her four grandchildren.  She loved being a grandmother to Kristin, Brian, Aaron, and Tara.  Any visit with grandma, whether in Omaha or O'Neill, was always a highlight, and one could say she often overindulged her grandkids from time to time, and they loved it.

Janice is survived by her three sons, Dan Wanser of San Diego, CA, Jake Hawthorne of Seattle, WA, and Mark (Roni) Wanser of Omaha, NE; four grandchildren, Kristin Wanser, Brian Wanser, Aaron (Megan) Wanser, and Tara Wanser; brother, Jack McAndrew of Elkhorn, NE; several nieces and nephews.  Janice was soon to be a great-grandmother in November.

She was preceded in death by her parents Donovan and Leota McAndrew, her husband, Terry Wanser in 1997, and her brother, Ross "Slim" McAndrew.

Janice will be remembered as a kind and loving person with a gentle spirit.  She was a strong and independent woman, who loved and lived life to the fullest.  We will carry her love and memories in our hearts until we meet again.  May she rest in peace.