Janice Lee Reed

Jan was born on August 19, 1938, to Lois and LaVone Swanson in Mason City, Iowa. During her younger years, her family moved at least a dozen times, as her father changed jobs in the dairy business. This likely contributed to Jan’s ability to meet and get to know people easily.

During her childhood, she and her family spent some time living in Chicago and Detroit. The family eventually moved to Michigan and Jan graduated from Dexter High School in 1955 at the age of 16. Her family soon moved to Lansing, Michigan where Jan accepted a position at IBM.

It was at IBM that Jan met her future husband, Rod. After a very brief, five-month courtship, they wed and began a beautiful marriage that lasted almost 62 years until her death. Rod has always said that Jan was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Jan was the first in her family to attend college. While raising three young children, she began taking classes at Lansing Community College. Eventually, she transferred to Michigan State University, where she proudly earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Communication.

Jan’s professional career was varied. She was the administrator at a law firm and worked in the MSU Physiology Department and at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center. One of Jan’s unique achievements was her role as Director of the Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center in Okemos.

Jan was able to connect with anyone and everyone and nurtured friendships that lasted decades. She cherished these dear friends.

Family and faith were the cornerstones of Jan’s life. Jan treasured her relationship with her husband, Rodney and her three children: Kellie Ashcraft (Marshall), Molly Sause (Brett), and Matthew Reed. She adored her grandchildren, Brooke, Natalie, Emily, and Mitchell, and kept up to date on technology so she could stay in frequent contact with all of them. Jan was predeceased by her siblings Beverly and Brian. She loved her sister, Ellen Hager and brother, Butch (LaVone) Swanson and many nieces and nephews.

The constant in Jan’s life was her husband, Rod. Their love for each other set the foundation for their family and decades of adventures. Over the years, she and Rod traveled often, and enjoyed cross country skiing, tennis, and golf. They spent many vacations on or near the water. On her 80th birthday, Jan went ziplining with her four grandchildren.

Volunteerism was near and dear to Jan’s heart. Her husband, Rod, remembers that even as a young 20-something, Jan volunteered at a local hospital in Lansing as an American Red Cross “Gray Lady.” She was a long-time member of Junior League, where she began lifetime friendships. Together, Jan and Rod served Meals on Wheels to the Greater Lansing Community for over 20 years. She was a member of Peoples Church of East Lansing and volunteered her time as a Church Elder and on numerous committees over the years, including Fine Arts. Jan also had a regular spot on WKAR radio, reading news articles to the visually impaired.

One of Jan’s great pleasures was her membership in the Lansing Woman’s Club. During her many years with the club, she served as president and presented papers on topics ranging from Frank Lloyd Wright to Agatha Christie. She enjoyed hosting and attending after-glows for dear friends.

Jan was a talented artist; painting, sewing, and crafting over the years. She was also an amazing cook and enjoyed entertaining friends. She and Rod spent countless evenings with their Gourmet Group, Absolute Music Chamber Series, and weekends with the Ski Group, the IBM group, and more. They visited and vacationed with their children and grandchildren often.

Jan had a wicked sense of humor and could brighten a room with her smile. In her final days, her smile and kisses brought her family great comfort. She will be missed dearly in a thousand little ways, but we take solace in knowing that hers was a life well lived. She touched so many of us.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society or the People’s Church of East Lansing.

Jan’s life will be celebrated with a service at People’s Church of East Lansing on Saturday, February 22nd at 11:00 a.m.