Janyce Gayle (Gangstad) Frohlich, age 82, of Coon Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, July 2, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines following complications from heart surgery in May.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Annunciation Catholic Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Coon Rapids with Fr. Kevin Richter as Celebrant. Lector for the Mass will be Carlene Dorpinghaus. Eucharistic minister will be Rhonda Reis. Gift bearers will be Jill and Jeff Anthofer. Casket bearers will be Chris Gangstad, Scott Gangstad, Alex Anthofer, Andrew Anthofer, Austin Anthofer, and Tytan Frohlich. Burial will be in the Coon Rapids Cemetery.
A Rosary will be held at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids at 4:30 P.M. on Friday with visitation following from 5 – 7 P.M. The casket will be moved to the church at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M. prior to the Mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com
Janyce was born on September 8, 1940, in Fairmont, NE, the daughter of Pete and Mary (Franzen) Gangstad. Lovingly known as “Tudy” by her family, friends, and neighbors, Janyce was a talented baton twirler with the Fairmont High School band. She enjoyed playing the piano and acting in school plays, and she loved horses. Janyce graduated from Fairmont High School in 1958. As fate would have it, she met Jerome Frohlich — a Swift Meats salesman at the time — at the Fairmont grocery store. The couple married on November 16, 1963, at St. Helena Church in Grafton, NE. They eventually moved to Coon Rapids and assumed ownership of Jerome’s parents’ grocery store, Frohlich’s SuperValu. Janyce and Jerome were blessed with five children: Jeff, Jolene, John, Janel and Judy.
Janyce was hardworking, outgoing and jovial, successfully juggling her responsibilities both at home and in her multiple roles at the grocery store. Her exceptional penmanship was evident in the numerous sales signs she created for the store. Janyce was responsible for maintaining the store’s financial records, stocking shelves and processing coupons. She was always happy to carry out a customer’s groceries. A loving wife, devoted mother and a valued community member, Janyce actively participated in various church and school activities. Despite her busy schedule, Janyce always made time for her children’s sports events and helped them with their homework.
Janyce was a member of the Annunciation Catholic Church Ladies Guild, the church choir, the American Legion Auxiliary, and the Coon Rapids Quasquicentennial’s fun-loving Kitchen Kluckers. As a member of the Coon Rapids Red Hats Society, Janyce rarely missed a luncheon. She cherished spending time with her grandson, Garret, and celebrating with her closest friends at Birthday Club gatherings. Janyce was an excellent cook, loved to bake, and was dubbed “Master Chef” by her children. She enjoyed gardening, canning, quilting, TV Westerns, working jigsaw puzzles, and watching Iowa State University sports and Dallas Center-Grimes basketball games. Two of her favorite pastimes were playing Scrabble and “garage sale-ing” with her good friend and neighbor, the late Helen Reis. One of Janyce’s favorite sayings was, “Getting old is not for sissies.” She had a marvelous sense of humor.
Janyce is survived by her five children: Jeff Frohlich of Coon Rapids; Jolene Frohlich Wehner (Mike) of Cleveland, OH; John Frohlich and special friend Ashlee of Ankeny; Janel (Pat) Sporrer of Dedham; and Judy (Mike) Nissly of Waukee; grandson Garret Sporrer of Dedham; brother Jerry (Bonnie) Gangstad of Fairmont, NE; sisters-in-law Lorna Casburn of Davey, NE; Gayle Olson of Saxon, WI; and Francis (John) Andrusyk of Colorado Springs, CO; nieces Ashly Winkle of College Station TX, and Jill (Jeff) Anthofer of Coon Rapids; nephews Chris (Kari) Gangstad and Scott (Trixie) Gangstad, all of Fairmont, NE; Tony (Nicole) Andrusyk and Tucker (Janeth) Andrusyk, all of Colorado Springs, CO; Scott Frohlich of Harlan; Lynn Frohlich; and many great-nieces, great-nephews and dear friends.
Janyce was preceded in death by her husband, Jerome, in 2002; parents, Pete and Mary Gangstad; parents-in-law Lewis and Nola Frohlich; sister Bonita Cardenas; brother Robert “Red” Delaney; sister-in-law Sharon Frohlich and brother-in-law Phillip “Butch” Frohlich.
