Janice E. Abelseth, age 86 of Hettinger, formerly of Prairie City, SD; passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2015 at the Western Horizons Care Center in Hettinger with family at her side following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Janice Elaine Ballweber was born June 27, 1929 in New England, ND, the oldest of 6 children born to Austin and Ruth (Nelson) Ballweber. She attended school at New England were she graduated from high school. She attended college and earned a teaching certificate. She began teaching in a school southwest of New England when she met George Abelseth.

Janice and George were united in marriage on June 9, 1950 in New England. They farmed and ranched together on the Abelseth ranch 30 miles south of Reeder in Perkins and Harding Counties where George's dad homesteaded. They lived on the ranch for over 54 years and moved into Hettinger when George's health began to fail. Her husband, George passed away on June 23, 2011. She continued to live in her home until entering the Western Horizons Care Center.

While still living on the ranch, Janice was active in her church at Duck Creek, and enjoyed her activities with Republican Women, TOPS, VFW, and attending the school sporting events. She was an avid Minnestoa Twins and Vikings fan. She enjoyed crocheting, walking, canning, gardening, and reading her Bible. She would always take lunch and then coffee to the workers in the field. When Janice and George were younger, they traveled to London, Isreal, Jerusalem, Germany, Washington, California, along with other states.

Janice was always a very special person. She never had a unkind word to say about anyone and was always willing to help someone out.

Janice is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Boyd and Vickie Abelseth, Prairie City, SD; granddaughter, Keely (Adam) Skinner, great granddaughter, Avis Skinner, 3 sisters, Caroline Dubisar, Sioux Falls, SD; Ginger (Leslie) Braunberger, Mitchell, SD; Georgia (Bill) Ripke, Seattle, WA; brother-in-law, Roland "Red" Dubisar, New England, ND; sister-in-law, Sharon Ballweber, in Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George, a sister, Kay Dubisar, a brother, Jimmy Ballweber, and brothers-in-law, Clarence Nelson and Gene Ballweber.