Janice I. Mithun

A visitation for Janice Mithun, of Starbuck, formerly of Cyrus, will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris.  Private family services will be held. Burial will be at a later date at Cyrus South Cemetery, rural Cyrus.

Janice Ilene Benson was born the only daughter to Robert and Olga (Moseng) Benson in Starbuck, Minnesota.  Janice was raised with her brother on the family farm in rural Lowry, Minnesota.  Janice received her education in Glenwood, graduating with the Glenwood High School, class of 1959.  Following high school, Janice remained at home, helping on the family farm and milking cows.  At the age of 21, Janice left the farm and was united in marriage to Sidney Mithun on April 30, 1960 at Cyrus Lutheran Church in Cyrus.  They made their home in Cyrus and started their family, welcoming six sons and one daughter.  Janice worked various jobs in Morris until she started her employment with Jennie-O in Willmar, where she worked until her retirement in the early 2000’s.  Janice continued to live in Cyrus until 2020 when she entered into the care of Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck where she lived until her death.

Janice was the rock of her family, she was a strong, determined woman – her family lovingly referred to her as the “Stubborn Swede.” Janice loved to visit – she never met a stranger and was always interested to know all she could about every person she met!  Some of Janice’s other hobbies included: Bingo, playing cards and board games and word finds, listening to music, planting flowers, watching the birds and embroidery.  Most importantly, Janice cherished the time that she was able to spend with her family.

Janice died peacefully, with her family by her side, on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck; she was 83 years old.

Janice is survived by her husband, Sidney of Cyrus; children: Randy (Denise) Mithun of Glenwood, Susan Fitzpatrick of Niceville, FL, Robert (Amy Rose) Mithun of Clara City, Ronald (Angie Fedler) Mithun of Cyrus, Richard Mithun of Alexandria, and Rodney Mithun of Sauk Rapids; 9 grandchildren: Brandi (Allen) Braun of Bismarck, ND, Robyn (Dan) Snider of Glenwood, Camryn (Andrew Middendorf) Mithun of Fargo, ND, Ryan (Haylee Marx) Fitzpatrick of Niceville, FL, Brendan Fitzpatrick of Niceville, FL, Shealee (Ethan Kruger) Mithun of Bunde, Alexa Mithun of Clara City, Travis (Sam Anderson) Mithun of Cyrus, and Trent (Travis) Smith of Alexandria; 8 great-grandchildren: Adam, Noah, Ezra, Adeline, and Asher Braun, Alivia and Calum Snider, and Gauge Kruger; sister-in-law, Virginia Benson of Alexandria and several nieces, nephews, and extended family.  She is preceded in death by her parents; son: Roger Mithun and brother: Burdell Benson.