Janice Carol Vander Leest

Janice moved from Artesia to Ontario, California when she was in the 6th grade. She graduated from Ontario Christian High school. After High School she attended Chaffey College for a year before taking a position at San Antonio Hospital as a health clerk.

Janice attended church faithfully growing up and it was later in life at a church young adults group where Dewey Vander Leest caught her eye. They eventually got married in 1971 at 1st Chino Christian Reformed Church.

In 1975, Janice and Dewey adopted Amber into the family. In 1977 they decided to start a Dairy in Wendell, Idaho. It was here where they had 3 more children David ‘79, Laura (Benken) ‘81, and Julie ‘84. We often heard stories about how life was good yet challenging on the dairy in Idaho. In 1985, during the farm crisis they decided to return to California and start new life there.

Upon returning to California, Janice spent a few years doing daycare before taking a position in the Chino School District. Janice loved working with the kids at Chino High and made an impact on many lives. Janice retired in 2007.

Janice loved her Savior Jesus over everything. She also loved flowers and spending time in the garden. She loved visiting the ocean, desert, mountains and spending time in God’s beautiful creation. Janice enjoyed music and for most of her life she had an organ and piano. It wasn’t uncommon to hear Janice playing the piano on any given Sunday afternoon. Finally, Janice was an avid reader. She spent many hours reading the Bible, along with 2 or 3 other books at any given time.

Survivors include 3 children David (Kelly) Vander Leest of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, Laura (Joseph) Benken of San Dimas, California, Julie Vander Leest of Ontario, California; 13 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; brothers Benjamin (Mary-Ann) Sybesma of Ripon, California, David (Carol) Sybesma of Twin Falls, Idaho and Roger Sybesma (Phyllis) of Dalhart, Texas; a sister Marilyn (Carl) Stone of Corona, California, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dewey and her daughter Amber.