Service of Remembrance for Merrietta Joan Janis, 67, of New England, ND will be held on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at 12:00 noon at the Assembly of God Church with Pastor James Murphy officiating. A Prayer and Wake service will be held on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the New Beginnings Baptist Church in Rapid City, SD with the Reverend Harvey Sylvester officiating. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 1, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the New Beginnings Baptist Church with interment with traditional graveside services at the New Underwood Cemetery, in New Underwood, SD. Following the burial, a luncheon will be held at the New Underwood Community Center.


MERRIETTA JOAN THOMPSON was born December 26, 2938 to Cora (Traversie) and Merril Thompson in a Teepee at Promise, SD. She attended school in Whitehorse, Cheyenne Agency and St. Francis Indian Schools in South Dakota.


She married James H. Janis in 1953 at Rapid City, SD. They lived in several states before settling at Pine Ridge, SD in the 1960's. They dissolved their union and Merrietta loved and raised her children in New Underwood and Rapid City.


In her youth, Merrietta loved fishing, picnics, playing cards, drive-in-theaters and gardening. As time allowed in later years she enjoyed knitting, quilting, crocheting, traveling to see family and friends and baking. Merrietta, who was best known as Joan, raised not only her children, but some grandchildren as well. She provided a home to many throughout her life and shared what she had with everyone, a true servant and model of Christ. Merrietta blessed many with homemade pies and breads.


In 1999 Merrietta moved to New England, ND and faithfully attended New England Assembly of God Church where she was caretaker of the church guestroom and an active participant in the Women's Ministries. In 2000 Merrietta battled and overcame breast cancer. In 2006, she battled lung cancer with her faith in Jesus Christ still unshaken. Merrietta Joan Janis went home to be with her Savior surrounded by her family on Nov. 26, 2006 at the St. Joseph's Hospital in Dickinson, ND.


Blessed and grateful for having shared her life are her children, James Janis, of New Underwood, SD, Esther (Mark) Erickson, of New England, ND, Arthur (Delores) Janis, of Rapid City, SD, Keith (Jennifer) Janis, of New England, ND, Darwin Janis of Rapid City, SD, Jeff (Janice) Janis, of Potato Creek, SD, Stanley (Michelle) Janis, of Kyle, SD, Lamont Janis, of Orlando, FL, Cora (Mike) Chapman, of Rapid City, SD, Arlene Brokenrope and Maxine Brokenrope, both of Rapid City, SD. Merrietta was blessed with 46 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, two sisters, Esther (Ronald) Trullinger and Margaret Prince (J.R.) Austin, all of New Underwood, SD.


Preceding Merrietta in death were her parents, two sons, Christopher and Joseph, one daughter, Esther and one grandson, Henry.