Alice Fern Janssen, age 86, formerly of Coalwood and Miles City, Mont., passed away May 8, 2017, at the Sweetwater Retirement Community in Billings, Mont.
Alice was born April 27, 1931, in Miles City, Mont., the daughter of Orvel L. and E. Lucille (Wildman) Campbell. Alice was raised on the Campbell Ranch on Powder River, which was homesteaded by her grandparents Edward and Eva (Denny) Campbell. She enjoyed growing up around horses and the cowboys who worked on the ranch. As a child, she rode horseback to school, crossing the Powder River. Depending on the season that might mean a shallow, languid stream, a maze of ice chunks and debris pushed by the spring thaw or a roiling flow of gumbo-thickened runoff following a heavy rain. After taking her freshman year via correspondence, Alice, her mother and brother moved to Miles City so she could attend high school. Graduating in 1949, Alice worked as a clerk at Woolworths and later at the Vaughn & Ragsdale department store. She was also employed as an operator with Mountain Bell Telephone, working in the 3-story brick office on Main Street next to the Carnegie Library. Alice met John M. Janssen in 1947. They were married Aug. 29, 1953, in Sheridan, Wyo. Their first home was a 8×40′ Rollohome trailer south of Coalwood, on the old Reverend Duncan place. They built a modern ranch-style home, doing much of the work themselves. Sharing the trailer with two children, a dog and a tricycle, the additional space was much welcomed when it was completed in 1962. They raised three children there: John Roger, Jeri and Dallas.
Besides tending to the house and raising a large garden, Alice was actively involved in Janssen Charolais Ranch: riding horseback, working cattle, driving tractor, running swather, handling the books and cattle registrations and inseminating cows. Along with breeding their own cattle, Alice artificially inseminated milk cows for folks in the surrounding counties. Alice’s own milk cows were bred to top-of-line Jersey sires. Alice’s sourdough biscuits were legendary; she would make a batch to feed folks who dropped by unexpectedly for supper. She enjoyed working with horses, hunting for Indian artifacts, raising stock dogs, drawing and oil painting. Alice and Camille McIntyre designed the cover of Echoing Footsteps, published in 1967. Alice was a member of Eastern Star and the Coalwood Ladies Aid. During the farm crisis of the early 1980s, she served as a volunteer for the Montana Department of Agriculture Farm Ranch Hotline. John and Alice made their home in the pine-covered hills south of Coalwood for 45 years before retiring. In 1997, they moved to Sunday Creek near Miles City, downstream from where L.A. Huffman photographed clerk line 12 on the Old North Mnt. Freight Road.
Alice is survived by John Roger (Lana) of Billings, Mont., and their children John (Ardawna) Denny and Ronna (Sean) Denny; Jeri Lyn (Robert) Dobrowski of Wibaux, Mont./Beach, N.D., and their children Jennifer (Brent) Rogers and Brian Dobrowski; Dallas (Connie) of Waseca, Minn., and their children John and Dillon Janssen; great grandsons Maxwell and Alexander Rogers; sister-in-law Patricia Campbell and her daughters, special nieces of Alice’s, Cassie (Bill) Erickson and Carmen (Charlie) Cavill; brother-in-law Lewis Janssen and his wife Helen. Alice was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brother Kenneth Campbell; daughter-in-law Diane (Embertson) Janssen; grandson Bruce Dobrowski; and dear friend and fellow artist and artifact hunter Camille McIntyre. The family wishes to thank those who made it possible for Alice to stay in her home on Sunday Creek and live independently for as long as she did. She moved to Billings in Nov. 2016, residing at Sweetwater Retirement Community. We couldn’t have found a more beautiful assisted living environment and the staff were exceptional. Bless your hearts!
Cremation has taken place. Inurnment and graveside services will be held on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Custer County Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Range Riders Museum, 435 I-94 BL, Miles City, MT 59301; rangeridersmuseum.com or Farm Rescue, PO Box 28, Horace, ND 58047; FarmRescue.org. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Sunday June 25, 2017
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
2:00 p.m.
Sunday June 25, 2017
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Laura Lee Ullrich says
Our deepest sympathy to Roger, Jeri Lyn and Dallas and their families. Alice John, as I always knew her, was an original western ranch woman and cowgirl. I always looked up to her as a kid and remember her hospitality and her delicious home cooking. She certainly wasn’t afraid of hard work and yet when she dressed up she was a stunning woman! May your precious memories help sustain you in your grief. It so hard to lose your mom. Hugs and prayers.
Jessie and Jim Leidholt says
To the family of Alice, please accept my sincere sympathy. I have known your extended family all of my life and have fond memories of them. Hugs to you all. Jessie Brown Leidholt
Patti (Green) Ireland says
My condolences to you on the loss of your mother. We saw her often at 4-H and fair events when we were young. She was a lovely lady.
Patti Ireland
Chris and Diana Elwood says
So sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom, I remember her well as a gracious woman with a beautiful smile. I would have loved to spend time in the hills with she and Camille, I can only imagine the fun and stories to be had. May God give all of you comfort during this difficult time.
Erin O'Connor says
My sincere condolences to Alice’s family. I got to know Alice well having had my horses boarded at her place on Sunday Creek for several years. Over that time she became almost like another grandma to me. We had many, many great conversations over the years! She always had fun stories to tell about the “old days” on the ranch and adventures of her youth. I enjoyed the little pieces of wisdom she’d share with me whether it be something to work with a horse on, whatever work situation I had going, or even about boys! She loved to watch us work with the horses and to hear about my new calves each spring. I’d always bring her neat rocks or agates I’d find and to see what she’d come up in examining them was fascinating. Her eye for art in the most random thing was amazing. To this day, I still have a little rock she painted to look like a fish sitting on my desk at work. She was truly a unique and special lady and someone I feel very lucky to have met and share a little piece of life with.
susan McDannel says
My condolences to Alice’s family. I got to know Alice when I boarded my horse at her place. How she loved watching my little mare run! I will miss chatting with her over tea and us two “old ladies’ out for a little fun on the town. A truely talented artist and a good friend…I will miss her.
Merry and Armando DeAnda says
To the family of Alice, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom, I remember her well as a gracious friendly woman. I remember her well, while she visited with my mother; Georgia. May God give all of you comfort during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Carola Moline says
I was very saddened to read that Alice had died, she was quite the lady, very smart so up on many things, I met Alice and John in my Bible ministry and had many good discussions about most everything under the sun. Talked about everything from cows horses ranching to God’s purpose for the earth, why we die and what happens when we die to artifacts and archeology and how it fits into Bible prophecy. We will miss this dear lady, and our thoughts and prayers to you and your famiilys go out to you. JERI you out should write a book about your Mother it would truly be a great Western and fascinating reading again we are very sorry about her passing. May God’s promises give you comfort and hope .
Cherrie Beyer says
My condolences to Alice’s family. I was so sad to hear of her passing. We had many wonderful times visiting, and sharing our mutual love of horses. Her art work is stunning! She was an amazing lady, and will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to you all!
Brian & Peggy Certain says
Robert & Jeri, Our deepest condolences on the loss of your mother, Jeri. She was a lovely and interesting lady with many talents. Sincerely Brian & Peggy