A celebration of life service for Janice Cooney will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 18, 2024, at First United Methodist Church in Walthill. Burial was in Bancroft Cemetery in Bancroft. The 79-year-old Walthill woman passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at CHI Health Immanuel in Omaha following an unexpected illness.
Janice Yvonne was born to Lloyd and Phoebe (Hanson) Dennis on Feb. 24, 1945, in Oakland.
Janice grew up on a farm between West Point and Oakland and she attended District 74 country school. Her family attended the West Side Methodist Church, where she was confirmed in 1956. West Side always held a special place in her heart. Janice often still attended the West Side reunions. She attended high school at West Point Public and graduated in 1963 and went on to attend Wayne State College for a teaching degree. Janice started her teaching career at District 14 Country School and taught at District 72, southwest of Tekamah and District 37, northwest of Lyons.
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Janice married Mike Cooney on Dec. 27, 1965, in Elk Point, South Dakota. They made their home outside Walthill where Janice was living until the time of her death. She continued to teach 3rd and 4th grade at Rosalie Public School until their first son, Ray, was born in 1971. Their son, John, joined the family in 1973.
In 1972, Mike and Janice started their company, Cooney Fertilizer, Inc. In the beginning, Mike ran the sprayer, and Janice did the rest. In 1986, they added a dozer to the list of services offered and began the earth-moving portion of their business. Both sons joined the business and have helped make it what it is today. In 2002, Mike unexpectedly passed away, and Janice and her sons continued the business. In 2022, Cooney Fertilizer, Inc. celebrated its 50th year.
Janice was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Walthill and served as the treasurer. Janice loved to go to work. If she wasn’t in the office, she could be found working in her garden. Recently, she joined the Green and Growing Garden Club, which was a highlight for her. She was also an avid animal lover and there was often an animal or two that would be in the office with her. Janice also enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren and teaching them the benefits of hard work. She also enjoyed “adventures” with the grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her husband Mike, parents Lloyd and Phoebe, brother Marlin, in-laws Raymond and Minerva Cooney, sister-in-law Luella Reynolds, and brother-in-law Roland Reynolds.
Survivors include her two sons and their families: Ray and wife Kira and children Michael, Cora and Cali of Walthill; and John and wife Wendy and children Jackson and Spencer of Pende; brother, Kevin Dennis and wife Pat of Springfield, Missouri, along with four nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.
Pelan Funeral Services is in charge of the arrangements.