Janice Lorraine Vanek

Janice Lorraine (Ristow) Vanek, being supported and surrounded by her family, passed away from a long courageous battle with dementia at 1:41 AM on February 7, 2024, at the age of 89.

Janice was the third of three children, born in New Lisbon, WI on February 3, 1935, to Glen and Vera Ristow. She lived her entire childhood with her family in the small dwelling behind Glen's Tavern in New Lisbon. She graduated from New Lisbon High School in 1953. She then graduated from St. Mary's School of Radiologic Technology in Wausau, WI in 1955.

St. Joseph's Hospital, in Lewistown, MT, hired Janice directly after her graduation and that began her wonderful life in Lewistown. Thanks to her good friends, Pete and Evelyn Deffinbaugh, she met the love of her life, Jim Vanek. Jim and Jan had four children: Timothy, baby Joseph, Thomas, and VeraAnne. Jan worked as an X-ray technician through many hospital transitions and finally retired from Central Montana Medical Center after 33 years of combined service.

Jan LOVED fishing, camping, hunting, and music. She was a member of the Good Sam Camping Club. She was almost always the most successful fisherman on the boat, and she made sure you knew it too! She loved a good ride on the Tilt-A-Whirl! She was proud of her days of playing the saxophone and pursued learning to play the keyboard and fostering a love of music and the outdoors in her children and grandchildren.

While she would say that Jim was the love of her life, her grandchildren were the light of her life. Jan rarely missed her children's and grandchildren's many activities over the years, forever their #1 supporter and fan in the stands. Her grandchildren will tell you she was not only a prominent figure in each of their lives but was at the center in some of their most cherished memories of life, ones that were filled with happiness, laughter, and love.

She loved adventures! Her final adventure was a trip to Arizona and the Grand Canyon with Vera and her family in October 2023.

Janice leaves behind her sons, Tim (Julie) Vanek of Cut Bank, Tom (Michelle) Vanek of Kalispell; her daughter, VeraAnne Benson of Helena; sister, Doris Masterson of Naples, FL; Daughter-in-law, Julie Vanek of Kalispell; her nine grandchildren: LeAnne Vanek (Ryan Winkowitsch), BJ (Mickey) Vanek, Joe (Ashley) Vanek, Leslie Vanek (Wade Berkram), Cade Vanek, Hannah Vanek (Willie Davis), Michael Huston (Rachel Hagen), Brady (Dayna) Benson, and Brooke (Alexa) Benson; as well as two bonus grandchildren: Larry (Ashley) Johnston and Andy Hofer. She also leaves behind her 26 great-grandchildren: Bradlee, Hadyn, River, Payzlie, Cruz, Kyrah, Jackson, Payton, Jaxon, Remington, Ruger, Beretta, Julia, Aspen, Patty, Mark, Tony, Kiara, Dallas, Wyatt, Ashley, Haley, Dusty, Austin, Emmalee, and Ryder.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Vera Ristow; husband, Robert James "Jim" Vanek; her son, Joseph Vanek; son-in-law, Brad Benson; her brother, Bob (Pat) Ristow; and great-grandson, Mario Pollock.

Janice and her indomitable spirit will be deeply missed by all who were lucky enough to call her sister, wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, and friend.

A Funeral Vigil will be held on Friday, February 16, 2024, 6:00 p.m. at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Lewistown. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Lewistown on Saturday, February 17, 2024, 11:00 a.m. Rite of Committal will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow in the commons. Donations may be given to Camp Mak-A-Dream, The Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance, or the charity of the donor's choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Creel Funeral Home. Jan's family and friends can share memories and condolences at www.creelfuneralhome.com