Janice Schwandt

Janice Schwandt, age 86, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health in Milbank, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in the Milbank City Cemetery.

Janice Jean (Lage) Schwandt was born on June 10, 1939, on a farm near Twin Brooks, SD, to Wilbur and Annie (Sleaper) Lage. She grew up in the Twin Brooks and Milbank area most of her life, except for a few years when the family lived in Nebraska.

On December 10, 1977, Janice married William “Bill” Schwandt at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Milbank, SD. They continued to live in Milbank. Janice owned and managed Palisade Park at Big Stone Lake and the Sportsmen’s Club in Milbank for a number of years. She then spent 27 years working at Hartman’s Family Foods as a clerk. Janice enjoyed tending to flowers in her flowerbeds, along with creating arrangements using artificial flowers. She also enjoyed watching car racing, especially if her son was racing. The Minnesota Twins and Vikings could be found on her TV if either team was playing. Janice tried to attend as many activities of her kids and grandkids as she could. Additionally, she loved to be a prankster and pulled pranks on her family whenever possible. The end of summer fun day at Big Stone Lake will be remembered by the many people who attended.

Janice is survived by her children: Robert (Brenda) Holtquist of Milbank, SD; Christine Tempel of Wilmot, SD; and Debra (Robert) VanHout of Milbank, SD; her grandchildren: Shannen (Doug) Johnson, Jeremy (Angie) Johnson, Dustin Holtquist, April (Eric) Tomoson, Jennifer (Justin) Athey, Melissa (Brian) Ollerich, and Nathan (Laura) Tempel; 13 great-grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents: Wilbur and Annie Lage; her husband, William “Bill” Schwandt; son-in-law, Myron Tempel; sister, Darlene Fritzsimmons; brother, Gerald Lage; and two nephews: Tomas and Michael.