Janice Powell

Janice Powell, age 79, of Ortonville, MN, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ortonville, MN. Visitation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church on Thursday. Fr. Shawn Polman will celebrate the Mass, and inurnment will be at Mound Cemetery in Ortonville, MN.

Janice Faye (Hermans) Powell was born April 12, 1947, in Milbank, SD, Dorwin “Bud” and Margaret Eloise (Lowthian) Hermans. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank and attended elementary school at St. Lawrence. She later attended Milbank High School, graduating in 1965.

Janice grudgingly took piano lessons but always had a life-long passion for music. She had a habit of asking many questions earning her the family nickname: “How Come Hermans.”

Janice attended Mankato Business College after high school and worked for 10 years at Honeywell in Minneapolis as a secretary for the engineers in the Temperature Control Division.

Janice and William “Bill” Powell were united in marriage on May 10, 1975, in Milbank, SD. After a trip to Colorado, they went to Vicenza, Italy, where they lived for a year while Bill was stationed with the U.S. Army. Some years later, they moved back to Ortonville where they built a home and raised two sons: Larry and Steven.

With her background in secretarial work, Janice was employed as a secretary for eight years in the Grant County Extension Office, receiving much accolade for her organizational skills. In 1990, she continued her career at Minnwest Bank in Ortonville and worked there until her retirement in 2012.

Janice was a Cub Scout leader when her children were young and continued to support her children during their high school days as they participated in football, basketball, track, band and choir concerts, and competitions. Later, Janice enjoyed following her grandchildren as they participated in all types of extracurricular activities, from sporting events to plays and concerts. She cheered them on in the same manner as she had done with Larry and Steve and was often heard yelling louder than others as well as jumping up and down.

Janice enjoyed her travels with Bill, whether it was a trip to Hawaii or to Rome, Italy, and many places in between. She especially enjoyed the trips to visit her son, Steve (and her grand-dogs), and his friends.

Janice was strong in her faith as a devout Catholic and served the Church of St. John’s in Ortonville in many capacities, including serving on the parish council, teaching Sunday School, being a Eucharistic minister, lectoring, and delivering communion to homebound parish members. She was also an active member of the St. John’s Church Choir for over 40 years and loved every minute of it!

Janice is survived by her husband, Bill; sons: Larry (Kyla) and Steven; along with grandchildren: Tyson, Carter, and Bree; sisters: Roma Meister of Brookings, SD; Deborah Hermans of Milbank, SD, and Ginger Dinter of Milbank, SD; and brother, Jim Hermans of Milbank, SD.

She was preceded in death by parents: Bud and Margaret Hermans; and brothers-in-law: Curtis Meister and Tim Dinter.