Janice Ellen Johnson

Sept. 26, 1951 – Dec. 23, 2020

Janice Ellen Johnson, known by those who loved her as “Mom” or “Grandma,” became an angel on Dec. 23, 2020 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer, Alaska.

Janice was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on Sept. 26, 1951 to Irene Wisner and Earl Bascombe.

After graduating from Oshkosh High School in 1969, Janice gave birth to her only son. In 1980, Janice boarded a train with her son and two daughters headed for Montana where her youngest daughter would be born. In 1992, along with her two youngest daughters, Janice moved to Alaska. Over the next 28 years, Janice tried to return to living in the lower 48, but she had found happiness in Homer, Alaska where she would ultimately return to help care for her youngest grandchildren.

Although Janice had many talents including playing the saxophone and singing in the church choir, some of her children’s fondest memories were when she would pull out her accordion and play polkas in the kitchen. Janice was very creative; she was exceptional at drawing and painting. She also crocheted and sewed, often making matching dresses for her three daughters and clothes for their dolls.

Janice was an avid reader and could finish a good mystery in a day or two. If the book was good enough she would read them over and over. Janice also loved Christmas and would surround herself with angels and her nutcracker collection. Her tree would still be lit well into the next year, with Christmas movies playing on the TV.

Janice is preceded in death by her son Tim Klabunde, who died of cancer in June 2020 as well as both of her parents.

Janice is survived by her three daughters, Melissa Fryday of Missoula, Montana, Kristen Thompson (Rod) of Woodburn, Oregon and Mary Gunzinger (Philip) of Homer, Alaska; her grandchildren, Brittany Klabunde, Billy Klabunde, Taylor Fryday-Crusch (Dillon), Jordan Fryday, Zack Thompson, Dillon Thompson, Nathaniel Kinneeveauk, Jaren Gunzinger, Cody Gunzinger and Ashton Gunziner; and great-grandson Talen Klabunde.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.