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Submitted: 7/25/20 • Approved: 7/25/20 • Last Updated: 7/28/20 • R1330304-G11041-S3
Wayne 07 Jun 1939 - 13 Dec 2002
Janice 08 Oct 1939 - 29 Apr 2020
Marriage: 13 Jun 1961
Wayne Ruedell Stogsdill Sr son of Clyde Ruddell Stogsdill and Lucy Ann (Dow) Stogsdill. Janice Ann (Mills) Stogsdill daughter of Arthur Clarence Mills and Alba Ora (Bell) Mills.
*obituary
JANICE STOGSDILL
Bossier City, Louisiana. Mom was born in Alpena, Michigan on Oct. 8, 1939. The first child of Art and Alba Mills. The Mills clan grew to seven children and Janice loved her parents, brothers and sisters very much. In 1961 she married a young sergeant from north Arkansas, Wayne Stogsdill stationed at Wurtsmith AFB. Both were born in 1939 and had two brothers and four sisters.
To this union she had Wayne Jr and Jeff. Both Wayne and Wayne Jr preceded her in death as did three infant children who passed away at birth from Rh factor. Losing these babies dominated her young married life and led to her becoming the compassionate pediatric and labor/delivery RN that defined her middle life. Since neither wanted to move back to the other’s hometown they stayed here in Bossier City after dad’s retirement from the USAF. Janice realized her purpose in life as a nurse at Bossier Medical Center and Willis Knighton-Bossier for many years. She impacted many young parents and treasured many friendships here in the local area. Doctors Sanders, Hughes and Fleniken were her heroes.
In addition to her husband and eldest child, Janice was also preceded in death by her beloved brother Ken Mills and equally loved sister Lois Marceau. She is survived by Wayne Jr.’s wife, Jennifer and son, Jeff with wife Pam. Her treasures stored on earth consisted of eight grandchildren; Anna (Michael), Josh (Danielle), Aimee (Patrick), Aubrey (Kate), Jackson, Amanda (Michael), Jeff and Taylor. The lagniappe of her later years are the great-grands; Harper, Annabelle, Palmer, Zachary and Logan. Additionally she is survived by siblings Sandra, Anna Mae, Kelvin and Carla with numerous nieces and nephews plus Dad’s sisters and brothers.
I would be remiss without mentioning Joe Duhon (You get your own paragraph). You understood mom’s struggles with dementia better than anyone as you were with her every day. As she deteriorated, you were her “rock”. Your Christian faith, humility and patience are so appreciated I grasp at words that completely fail to describe the depth of your importance to us.
Mom lived her last two years at Savannah Grand and was cared for by some truly fabulous people. Donna and her staff truly cared for her as she made her rounds, clipboard in hand. Still nursing and still straightening people out.
The family plans memorials in Louisiana, Michigan and Arkansas but the complexities of our brave new world seem to prevent normalcy. Hopefully temporarily. She loved flowers, especially African violets but we think she would prefer you give to a charity, add to a food bank or just tell someone you love them.
I have tried to capture mom’s being in a confined space. She was the champion of the non sequitur in conversation. She immediately fell in love with any underdog and wanted to be appreciated (She was). She adored cats. She loved nachos. The familiar words of the preacher in Ecclesiastes tell us “there is a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Weep for a day and mourn for a short time but Janice would rather you get back to laughing and dancing.
Obituary located through The Alpena News Alpena, Michigan published 02 May 2020. Copyright © The Alpena News
Contributed on 7/25/20 by denise.bratcher63
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Record #: 1330304