Janice Pickering

Janice Margaret Pickering, 69, Ottertail, MN, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. The visitation will be on Sunday, September 17, at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge, MN, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, with a prayer service at 5:30, and a Christian Mother’s Rosary at 7. The visitation will continue on Monday, September 18, from 9:30 to 10:15 AM, at the funeral home, followed by a 10:30 AM, Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge. Father Joseph Backowski will be the Celebrant. The interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Breckenridge.

Janice Margaret Picotte was born November 4, 1947, in Fargo, ND, the daughter of Hilarion and Margaret (Hulne) Picotte. She attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in Breckenridge and graduated from Mt. St. Benedict High School in Crookston, MN, in 1965. Following high school, Jan attended a medical secretary program through the Mayo Clinic, and met her first husband– Pat Rowles in Rochester. Jan and Pat had two sons–Robert and Donald. While raising her boys, she ran a daycare in her Minneapolis home before going to work at Honeywell. In 1990, she was united in marriage to her second husband, Dick Pickering. Jan received her Instrument- Rated Private Pilot’s license in her 40’s, and also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, when she was 50. She worked in Business Development for Allina Clinics in the twin cities for many years.  For the last several years, she and Bruce Wahl lived seasonally on Ottertail Lake and Naples, Florida.

Jan was a loving mother, a caring partner, attentive sister, and a loyal friend. She was an independent spirit and loved challenges. She loved Christmas, holding and playing with her grandchildren, and was always encouraging to others. It was her honor to be involved in making quilts for veterans through the Quilts for Valor organization. She enjoyed a glass of wine, the lake, ocean views, and the outdoors. Her spirit will live on forever in the hearts of those who loved her.  Jan, we love you and though we may cry now, we will always remember your laugh and we look forward to hearing it again.

Jan is survived by her true love, Bruce Wahl of Ottertail Lake; her first husband, Pat Rowles; her second husband, Dick Pickering; her stepfather, Don Krook of Albertville, MN; her sisters, Diane Barkwell- Rettig (Jerry), of Breckenridge, MN, and their children, Kathi, and Tom; Deb Krook of Minneapolis, MN; and Karen (Krook) Brian Bellmore of Otsego, MN and their children, Courtney and Cody; her two sons, Bob (Jennifer) Rowles of Greenville, NC and their children – Matthew, Benjamin and Sophia; and Donny (Karina) Rowles of Rochester, MN, and their daughter, Amaya.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents; a still born brother; her grandparents, Belle and Alphonse Hulne and Louise and Arthur Picotte; and several aunts and uncles.