Janice Marie Roxberg

Janice Roxberg, 91, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day 2025. Born on January 4, 1934 to William and Alma Schaudt in Slater, Iowa. She lived an incredible life filled with love, creativity, strength and resilience.

Her life was shaped by growing up with three older brothers and the loss of her father at 14 years old. She learned early in her life the value of being independent and strong.

As a teenager she was known for her style and beauty. She was crowned the Story County Dairy Princess in 1949. Janice played on the Slater High School Hawkette’s 1950 State Championship basketball team.

She graduated from Iowa State University in 1955 with a degree in Home Economics Education. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority (KD) and was proud to share that KD legacy with her daughter Lynn and granddaughter Anna.

Janice met her husband Glenn Roxberg in front of Mr. Bibb’s Restaurant in Slater, Iowa. They were married for 55 years and shared a wonderful family together.

They had four children, Lynn, Lorie, Steven and Sue. Janice always made sure the children were involved in culture and the arts. She spent many an hour chauffeuring them all to lessons in art, dance, sports and more. While raising her beautiful family, she began teaching for the Des Moines Adult Education Program. She was a highly skilled seamstress, crafting beautiful garments for her children and grandchildren over the years that are still cherished and worn today by her great-granddaughters.

Jan taught Family and Consumer Science at Lincoln High School in Des Moines from 1973-1995. She was proud passionate educator. Janice and Glenn traveled abroad to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Scotland and Canada; and loved their yearly trips to Arizona.

Janice was a proud Democrat. Her volunteer efforts, include working at the Fine Arts Competition of the Iowa State Fair; serving on KD House Corporation for 20 years, Grace United Methodist Church committees, United Way, the ISU Parents’ Board and supported the Slater Area Historical Association. Janice and family returned often to Slater to celebrate special occasions and holidays with family. A favorite time was always the Fourth of July celebrations.

Later in life Janice developed a keen interest in collecting. She began collecting and designing button trays to enter into competitions — and swiftly, she was accumulating blue ribbons for her artful trays. She served as President of the Iowa State Button Society, and was very active up until her passing. She would say, “show me a button and I’ll tell you a story.” Janice’s passions and talents live on through her four children in their art, interior design, woodworking and gardening.

Janice was a skilled gardener. Her special passion was for dahlias and cut flowers. She was also a fabulous hostess and loved to entertain. She was well known for many recipes, especially her mother- in- law Grace’s Swedish rye bread, and other Norwegian favorites. Her recipes have become holiday traditions for the extended family.

Grandma Rocky was immensely proud of her family.

Forever in our hearts, a life well lived. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Roxberg and her brothers William Schaudt, Kingsley Schaudt and Gerald Schaudt.

She is survived by her children Lynn Ethington (Stan) of Des Moines, Lorie Moreton (William), Steven Roxberg (Jane Paulsen) of Solon and Sue Cornick (James) of Des Moines, her Grandchildren Charles Ethington (Kate Mathews), James Ethington, Matthew Moreton (Sidney), Allie Moreton, Emily Davis (Chad), Laura O’Connell (Ryan), Anna Miles (Royce), 6 great grandchildren and her beloved cat Mr. Good.

Memorials may be made to the Slater Area Historical Association, Box 487, Slater, IA 50244 or the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Attn: Donations, 5452 NE 22nd St., Des Moines, IA 50313-2528.

A private family celebration will be held at a later date.