Jan Knutson, Sioux Falls, SD, died April 15, 2015, at Sanford / USD Medical Center. She was 79. Janice (Sheppard) Knutson was born February 5, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, to John and Bessie (Coleman) Sheppard. As an infant, she moved with her family to Sioux Falls. Jan

attended Sioux Falls public schools, graduating from Washington Senior High School in 1953. She was united in marriage to Lyle Knutson on January 29, 1957, in Pipestone, Minnesota. The couple made their home in Sioux Falls where Jan became a loving mother and began working as a secretary at Powers Regulator. She then began her sixteen year career with Honeywell and afterward continued her secretarial work for Brown and Even, retiring in 1986. For years following, Jan became a loving caretaker for her mother Bessie Sheppard who passed in 2002. Lyle preceded her in death on May 17, 2006. Very active with volunteer work, Jan volunteered for Active Generations and the Memory Care Unit of Touchmark at All Saints. She had served several posts with the American Legion Auxiliary and was currently serving as their president. Jan had belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary Choir for many years and loved to sing. She was currently secretary/treasurer of the Mothers Day Association and was a member of First Baptist Church where she was an active volunteer serving with Baptist Women, and a charter member and past president of the National Association of Women in Construction. Jan enjoyed traveling to visit family members and sharing vacations with them. She adored her family and they had always looked forward to spending time together. Selfless and always sacrificing for others, Jan was forever on the front line to help those in need. Courageous, strong and steadfast, she was a five-time cancer survivor. Blessed with a warm-hearted personality and a million dollar smile, her persevering spirit will be forever cherished. Grateful for having shared her life are her daughters, Kris Berg and her husband, Robin, Fredericksburg, VA, Shelley Castinado and her husband, Ben, Lincoln, NE; three grandchildren, Meaghen Berg, Nancy Le, Chad Berg; great-granddaughter, Paislie Grace Berg; brothers, Terry Sheppard, Dumfries, VA, and Pat Sheppard, of Brookings, SD. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.

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Janice Sheppard ‘53 Special Edition April 19, 2015

Washington High School Alumni Newsletter, Sioux Falls, SD.Serving the Classes of The Great ‘50’s Decade.

Published in Las Vegas, NV by Jack M. Phillips ’54 jack@jackmphillips.com

Janice Sheppard KnutsonWashington High School Class of ’53

February 5, 1936 - April 15, 2015

Janice Sheppard ’53WHS Senior Photo

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The interment will be held at 10:00am Monday, at Hills of Rest Memorial Park, followed by 11:00am Memorial Services at First Baptist Church. Visitation begins at 11:00am Sunday, with the family present to greet friends from 1:00 to 3:00 Sunday afternoon at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Avenue. Memorials may be directed to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, 3720 E Benson Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, or to the Edith Sanford Breast Cancer Foundation, 101 S. Reid Street, Suite 202, Sioux Falls, SD 57103.

WHS Girls Chorus, 1953 Warrior.Janice Sheppard ‘53, 5th from right in 4th row.

Not listed, Mary Woods ‘52, Pianist

Ed. Note: This photo of the WHS Girls Chorus appeared in the 1953 Warrior, but there are many girls in the photo from the class of 1952, indicating that the photo was most likely taken

toward the end of the 1951/1952 school year and too late to appear in the 1952 Warrior.

Thanks to Don Noordsy ’58 and Mavis Larson Carl ’55 for alerting the O&B of Janice’s passing.