Janice Ritter

Janice Jean Sickels entered into this life, along with her twin brother, Jack, on June 5, 1945, in Denver, Colorado. She was welcomed by her parents, Roy Elvis & Edna Elsie (Mosier) Sickels, and older brothers Carroll, Robert, and Bill.
The family returned to Iowa and Janice graduated from Mount Ayr High School. Following graduation, Janice moved with her parents to Venice Beach, California. She met and married James Ritter and to this marriage, two children were born: James and Kimberly.
Janice lived in Oklahoma where she began a career in bookkeeping. She returned to live in Mount Ayr before making Creston her home for most of her adult life. While in Creston, she worked for Dr. Hicks before a long and rewarding career with Matura. She retired as Chief Financial Officer after 30 years of service. She has made Des Moines her home for the last two years.
Janice was a caring and loving mother. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was especially fond of her pet dogs.
Over the years, Janice traveled frequently for her job and spent many miles with her best friend and coworker, June West. Oh the adventures they had. She loved watching her niece's play softball and tried to never missing a game. She taught most of her grandchildren how to drive. She ways always so patient. She also loved to crochet and over the past few years spent much of her time making lap blankets for everyone. One of her greatest joys every year was camping at the Iowa State Fair and continued this tradition for 35 years. She loved supporting everyone in their activities and sent everyone a card in the mail for their birthday, each year, without fail. Family was her pride and purpose.
Janice passed away on March 15, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother & his wife, Carroll & Shirlee Sickels.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children James & wife Suzanne Ritter of Jacksonville, North Carolina and Kimberly & husband J.R. Tarter of Des Moines, Iowa; 15 grandchildren and many great grandchildren; brothers Bob & wife Kay Sickels, Bill & wife Deb Ayres-Sickels, all of Mount Ayr and twin Jack & wife Reta Sickels of Des Moines, IA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends; and her beloved pet dog, Tippi.
Memorials are in her name.