Janice Vreim

Janice Vreim, age 90, of Wilmot, SD, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Wilmot Care Center. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Wilmot Lutheran Church in Wilmot. Rev. Kay Reeb and Rev. Sheila Pohl will officiate. Burial will be in the Wilmot Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.

The organist and vocalist will be Sherry DeBoer. Special music will be provided by Troy Moon, guitarist and vocalist.

 Honorary bearers will be: VFW Auxiliary Members, Bev Pierce, Rev. Bruce and Pam Iverson, Dawn Saxton, and Steve and Barb Anderson. Casket bearers will be: Doug Barlund, Bob Pauli, David Behrns, Donald Behrns, Percy Chamley III, and Kevin Saxton. Junior casket bearers will be: Coley Rose Moon, Callan Moon, Jazlyn Vrchota, Jax Vrchota, Treyton DeBoer, Taylor Schlechter, Callen Croymans, Raegan Fish, Ciara Dunnagan, and Cillian Dunnagan.

Janice Mae (Pauli) Vreim was born on May 6, 1934, in Milbank, SD. She was one of nine children born to Walter S. and Ora E. (Berkner) Pauli. Janice grew up and attended school in the Milbank area. During high school, she worked at the Brite Spot Café. She was united in marriage with Melvin Croymans on June 2, 1951, in Milbank. She later married Orville H. Vreim on September 1, 1967, in Milbank.

To say that Janice was a hard-worker would be an understatement! She was the owner and operator of King Koin Launderette in Milbank and worked at Western Life Insurance Company while living in Helena, MT. She returned to South Dakota and worked a variety of jobs throughout the years, including: legal secretary for Leo P. Flynn (Attorney at Law) in Milbank; a waitress D.J.’s Café in Wilmot; hostess at Shady Beach Supper Club; part-time office manager for Direct Check in Milbank, Watertown, Brookings, and Aberdeen locations. She also previously lived in Canoga Park, CA, and in West St. Paul, MN.

Janice was a faithful and active member of Wilmot Lutheran Church. She held many positions within the ELCW and Faith Circle. She was a talented organist and pianist and played for church services, weddings, and funerals for over 30 years. She served as church financial secretary for three years. She was the secretary/treasurer for the Wilmot Community Development Corp. for three years. Since 1961, Janice was a long-time member of the Grant County Auxiliary Post #3486, in Milbank. She held many offices in the local, district, department, big 10, and in the national organization such as District President, Department President, Treasurer, Membership Chairman, and many other positions. Janice was also a member of the Wilmot Kitchen Band. She enjoyed having coffee with the morning coffee ladies and liked to play cards with the Wednesday Card Club. 

Left to cherish her memory are is her husband, Orville Vreim of Wilmot, SD; her children: Richard (Laura) Croymans of Winnetka, CA; Cynthia (Percy Jr.) Chamley of Wilmot, SD; Marilyn (Jim) Pierce of Wilmot, SD; and Michelle (Wayne) Lacher of Urbandale, IA; 10 grandchildren: Amber Dunnagan, Jacob Croymans, Dr. Daniel Croymans, Percy Chamley III, Jon Chamley, Emily Vrchota, Jeremy Vosberg, Jackie Vosberg, Mckelle Moon, and Elle Scott; 11 great-grandchildren: Ciara Dunnagan, Cillian Dunnagan, Zane Cline, Jax Vrchota, Jazlyn Vrchota, Taylor Schlechter, Treyton DeBoer, Raegan Fish, Callan Moon, Coley Rose Moon, and Callen Croymans; one sister, Ramona Hanna of Sioux Falls, SD.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents: Walter and Ora; her brothers: Willis, Marwood “Bud”, Orlo, and Wayne; her sisters: Ardell Barlund, Wava Sorenson, and Myrtis Morley.