Janice Arlene Pack was born on November 17, 1942, in Atchison, Kansas. She was the second daughter of William Harold Rees and Wanda Fellows Rees. Janice grew up in Iatan, Missouri, on her parent’s tobacco farm where she developed a love for animals and particularly horses. On hot summer days she and her father would ride horses into town to get cold RC Colas and Cherry Mash candy bars. She graduated from Weston High School in 1960 and went on to attain her teaching degree from Benedictine College, in Atchison, Kansas.
Janice’s passion for horses was a driving force throughout her entire life. In her young adult years, she became involved in breeding, raising, training, and showing horses. Janice won several championships showing horses over many years. Through showing horses, she met and fell in love with Aziel Lloyd (Al) Pack. Janice and Al married in 1964 and made a home in Ottawa, Kansas. In 1968 they welcomed a son, Thomas Lloyd and he was quickly followed by a sister, Sue Ellen, in 1969. As her young family grew, they were active in 4-H and Janice serves as the 4-H Horse Club leader for many years. In addition to 4-H the family spent time rodeoing and showing horses together. Janice eventually became a judge for the American Quarter Horse Association and served as a judge for many horse shows during her life.
Janice was an intelligent and well-read woman who pursued knowledge. Later in life she decided to return to school and eventually earned a degree in social work from Pittsburg State University. She also enjoyed writing and had several stories about horses published in local and regional papers. In the final years of her life Janice divided her time between her home in Ottawa, Kansas, and her daughter Sue’s home in Claremore, Oklahoma, where she spent time with her family and continued to enjoy rodeos and horse shows for as long as she was able.
Janice is preceded in death by her parents William and Wanda Rees, of Weston, Missouri, her sister Jeanette Rees of Weston, Missouri, her husband Aziel Lloyd (Al) Pack of Ottawa, Kansas, and her daughter Sue Ellen Pack Teel, of Claremore, Oklahoma.
She is survived by her son and his wife, Tom and Michelle Pack, of Skiatook, Oklahoma, granddaughter, Amer Cutshaw, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, grandson, Ethan Pack of Skiatook, Oklahoma, and granddaughter Bailey and her husband Joel Van De Wiele, of Skiatook, Oklahoma.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 2020, at Mowery Funeral service in Owasso. Janice will be transported overland to the Dengel and Son Mortuary in Ottawa, Kansas, for funeral service with final resting place at Mount Bethel Cemetery in Weston, Missouri. Local arrangements were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso.