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Janice Mae Gifford, 89, of Mott, ND passed away peacefully with her family at her side at her home in Mott, ND.

Rosary will be prayed at 8:30 a.m. MT, follow by a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00 a.m. MT all at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mott, ND on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.  Fr. Chris Kadrmas will officiate and following a time of fellowship and bars and coffee, burial of her ashes will take place at Sunny Slope Cemetery in Mott.

Janice Mae (Swindler) Gifford, age 89, of Mott, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family on July 31, 2026, after a short illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mott. Rosary will take place at 8:30 AM before Mass.

Janice was born on November 17, 1936, in Mott to John Francis and Regina Mary (Meyer) Swindler. She was the middle child of five, a place in the family that shaped her steady, dependable nature from an early age. She grew up in the Mott area and graduated from Mott Lincoln High School in 1954. She attended business college in Rapid City, South Dakota. Her first job was at the Buick dealership in Lemmon, South Dakota—a position she truly loved. Throughout her life, she held several other notable roles, including working for Tom Ward at Hettinger County Abstract and serving with the Farmers Home Administration (FHA).

On March 23, 1957, Janice married John Bernard "Jack" Gifford in Mott. Their life together took them to Grand Forks while Jack attended college, where they welcomed their first daughter, Jodi. During Jack's military service, they relocated to Germany, expanding their family with the births of Marca, Jonathan, and James, before eventually returning home to North Dakota. Janice cherished motherhood deeply, and she often said that she loved being pregnant. Janice and Jack shared over 40 years of devoted marriage until Jack's passing in 1998.

Together, Janice and Jack were widely known for their beautiful yard and for building Cardinal Insurance and Real Estate, a staple Mott business offering insurance, real estate, and tax services. While Janice may not have been the one in charge on paper, she was the person everyone turned to when they needed an answer. Even after Jack's passing, Janice kept her yard immaculate, filled with vibrant flowers and plants she tended with immense pride. She even loved the parts most people dread — mowing and weeding. Outside of work, she enjoyed playing bridge and spending time at the golf course.

Janice created a home filled with beauty, warmth, and tradition. Reserved, elegant, and intentional in everything she did, she took great pride in creating an environment where everyone felt cared for. Holidays were her specialty, with Halloween and Christmas being her absolute favorites. On Halloween, local children knew to trick-or-treat at Janice's house, where they would find her dressed up in full costume, handing out the biggest chocolate bars she could buy. She celebrated each season with thoughtful decorations, transforming her home into a welcoming gathering place where she frequently treated visitors to her famous 8-layer bars.

Family meant everything to Janice, and she deeply cherished having her loved ones close enough to celebrate together. Her table was always set just so, her hair and nails were always perfectly kept, and her kindness extended to everyone she met. She never spoke ill of anyone, carried herself with grace, and possessed a wonderful sense of humor. Neat, organized, and exceptionally hardworking, Janice was a woman of faith, strength, generosity, and quiet dignity.

On January 30, 2011, Janice married James H. Geiger. They deeply enjoyed their years together until his passing in 2013.

Janice was a dedicated member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Mott, having converted from the Methodist faith. She was an active member of the St. Vincent's Altar Society, and her faith remained steady throughout her entire life.

One of the most treasured pieces of her life was a note written by her son Jonathan a year before his tragic passing at age 18. He wrote: "If we all worked as hard as you do every day—there would be no work to do in the whole world! You're the greatest mother that anyone could have. We appreciate it all! We must love each other every day—'cause someday there will be no tomorrow!" His words perfectly capture the hardworking, deeply loving mother Janice was.

Janice is survived by her children: Jodi Olson of Mott, and Marca (Jim) Kassera of Ellsworth, WI; grandchildren: Kristen Olson, Devin (Crystal) Olson, Sondra (Josh) Bullinger, Lance (Cameo) Olson, and Caitlyn Olson, all of Mott; great-grandchildren: Jack Manolovits, Carter, Anastasia, and Adriana Forster; Hailee (Ryan Doe) and Ethan Olson; Abigayle and Gabriel Bullinger; Daquiri, Maddex, and Elladine Olson; Ava, Janice, and Noelle Qualls, and Truth Olson. She is also survived by her sister, Bonnie Bieber; brother-in-law, Jeff Williams; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; sons Jonathan and James Gifford; brothers Marion (Ramona) Swindler and Ronald (Jan) Swindler; sister Shirley Swindler; brother-in-law Ray Bieber; niece Yvonne Swindler Hughes; great-great-grandnephew Clive Kuppler.