Janice S. Monsma

Janiece Pauline Stravers was born on October 7, 1934, the daughter of John J. Stravers and Sarah Vos Stravers, the youngest of six siblings and the only girl. The family’s farmhouse lacked electricity, plumbing, and central heating but was full of love, strong faith, and a familiarity with hard work. She attended a one-room schoolhouse in nearby Galesburg and enjoyed it very much, though she had to walk a mile to get there, at times walking behind her father, who would break through the snowdrifts with his longer legs.

After graduating from grammar school at the age of fourteen, she enrolled in the Christian High School in nearby Pella, Iowa, living in town during the week. While in high school, she won first prize for Interpretive Reading in the State of Iowa high school speech contest. This training would serve her well as a volunteer liturgist at the Presbyterian and UCC churches she belonged to in later life.

Janice attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she excelled as a nursing student. One of her nursing supervisors noted, “Always does more than is expected.” It was a rating she earned often throughout her life.

In college, Jan met Mary Monsma and her mother, Frieda. Frieda took a shine to Jan and later announced to her son Jim, “I’ve been saving this one for you.” After a year, they married in Grand Rapids and built a marriage that lasted nearly seventy years. The couple welcomed three children. As they grew, Jan resumed her nursing career, caring for the elderly.

Janice was a prolific and talented letter writer, keeping up decades of correspondence with friends and family. In addition, she sent dozens of notes a month, sending encouragement, good wishes, or condolences to church members, colleagues, and acquaintances. She would take her time with the words, pondering, searching, and praying over what to say and how best to say it. Recipients often remembered these notes years later.

Jan had many interests. She was known for her ability to spot and appreciate beauty in things and places other people missed, especially in the roadside wildflowers, of which she was particularly fond. She was also an enthusiastic cook, gardener, and hostess.

In all things Jan led by example, placing care of others and of God’s creation at the top of her to do list. In her final days, she took great comfort in the folk songs and hymns of her youth, her voice still tuneful and her faith still strong.

Janice is survived by her husband, James; her children James Monsma, Jr., Frederick (Fritz) Monsma, and Sarah Monsma-Billings; her son-in-law Randolph Billings; her grandchildren Clara Monsma, Honner Billings, and Pieter James Billings; and a large extended family.

A memorial service will be held at Old South Church in Boston at 1 pm on September 20, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Janice’s memory to Old South Church in Boston, 645 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.