Janice Deike

Janice F. Deike, 91, of Wahpeton, ND, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2021, at the Leach Home in Wahpeton.  Visitation will be Tuesday, November 2, 2021 from 5 pm to 7 pm followed by her prayer service at 7 pm, at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton.  Visitation will continue on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, from 9:30 am - 10:30 am followed by her funeral service at 10:30 am at Evergreen United Methodist Church in Wahpeton. Rev. Mary Ann Bernard and Rev. Peder Anderson will officiate the service. Burial will be in Zion United Methodist Cemetery in Great Bend, ND.  A live stream of the service will be available on the funeral home’s website.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home.

Janice was born in Greendale Township, Richland County, ND on February 25, 1930 to William and Dorothy (Leavitt) Sturgess. She attended Rural Greendale Township School and graduated from Hankinson High School in 1948.

On August 24, 1948, she married Dale Deike at Zion EUB in Great Bend, ND. Together they farmed and raised their four children on the Deike family farm.  As a true farmer’s wife, she was his active partner in the farming and dairy operation. In 1990 Janice and Dale moved to their home in Wahpeton. They enjoyed many winters in Arizona. Janice was a lifelong member of United Methodist Women, a member of Fairview and later Friendly Homemaker extension clubs. She and Dale were part of the founding members of The Bagg Bonanza Farm Historical Society, as well as the ND Pottery Collectors Society.  She was a tireless volunteer with her church, The Bagg Farm (baking 100’s and cutting 1000’s of pies), St Francis Hospital gift shop, and also a longtime blood donor. Her hobbies included baking, playing cards, sewing, quilting and embroidery.

Dale passed away in 2018 just short of their 70th anniversary.  She remained in their home until May of 2021 when she moved to the Leach Home.

She is survived by her four children: 3 Daughters - Paula and Stanley Wheelock of West Fargo and their children Sarah and David Arntson, Emilia and Lily, and Sonja Wheelock; Darlys and Richard Thomas of West Fargo and their children Anne and Joe Dietrich, Reese, Lexi, and Harper; Chris and Marisa Thomas, Avery, Holt, and Kenna; Darlene and Steven Berndt of Fargo and their children Kelsey Berndt (Ryan Hansen) and Riley Berndt; and her son Harlan and Tammy Deike of Wahpeton and their children Joshua and JoDee Deike, and Aaron Deike; her sister Joyce Tischer of Breckenridge; her sister-in-law Lucile Lenz of Lincoln, NE, and many nieces and nephews.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband Dale, grandson Jordan Dale Berndt, her parents, sister Jean and Robert Chartrand, brother John (Jack) and Donna Sturgess, as well as in-laws, Reuben Tischer, Harry Levin, Herman and Eleanora Deike, Evelyn Deike, Lester and Gladys Deike, Lavola and Marvin Hoeft, James Walter, and Duane Lenz.