Janice Nissen

Janice Jean Nissen, age 86, of Lake Park, Iowa, passed away on March 8, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society in Holstein, Iowa.

Born on May 7, 1939, in rural Peterson/Sutherland, Iowa, Janice was the daughter of Omer and Marjorie (Rohrbaugh) Otten. She grew up on the family farm near Sutherland and graduated from Sutherland High School in 1957. She married Richard Nissen, and together they made their homes in Owatonna, Minnesota, Peterson, Iowa, and finally Lake Park, Iowa.

Janice began her working years at Berkley’s in Spirit Lake before becoming a CNA. She devoted more than thirty years to caring for residents at the Lake Park Nursing Home, where she built many cherished friendships with both coworkers and those in her care. A longtime member of the Lake Park Methodist Church, she found joy in gathering with the church ladies and helping serve funeral lunches. She was also an active member of the Topps Group for many years.

Music and dancing were lifelong passions for Janice. She loved spending evenings on the dance floor at the Sioux Valley ballroom and other local dance halls, and she remained a devoted fan of Elvis. She took great delight in attending high school basketball games, especially when her grandchildren were playing. Above all, she cherished time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also took special pleasure in cherry tomatoes and picking fresh ones from her son Ron’s garden.

Janice is survived by her son, Ron (Shelli) Nissen and their children: Amber (Rob) Ramsey, Brian (Jamie) Nebelsick, Travis (Bryanna) Nissen, and Brady Nissen; her daughter, Jolene (Steve) Clark and their children: Jason Clark, Lindsey Clark, Kevin (Allie) Clark, and Heather (Craig) Kriener; her daughter, Linda (Brian) Elsbecker and their children: Cory (Stephanie) Vaske and Zach (Megan) Elsbecker; her daughter, Lonna (Brian) Draayer and their children, Alyssa Yaw and Taylor (Bryanna) Yaw; 21 great-grandchildren; her sisters, Carolyn Grothe and Elaine (John) Weir; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Ann (Harlan) Will; and her brother-in-law, Paul Grothe.