Janice Kay Sutton

Janice Kay Sutton passed away peacefully in her home under Hospice Care on June 19, 2019. She was born May 9, 1938, in Sioux Falls South Dakota at McKenna Hospital. Her stepfather, John Robert Thyberg and her mother, Nellie Pressler, raised Janice, along with her siblings Rodney, David, Mary Jo and Michael on a small farm outside of Hartford, South Dakota. Some of her fondest memories of growing up were playing games like “Annie Over Annie” and card games. At six years old, she and Annie Pressler would walk out in the pasture to a huge rock, sit and tell stories. In school, she enjoyed History and Science the most, and she sang a solo, winning first place. Two of her good friends in high school were Yvonne Sletter and Elenor Bokoff. She graduated from Parker High School at 17 years old and then attended beauty school before her first full-time job as a hairdresser in Huron, South Dakota.

She was married to Clarence Davis Sutton July 25, 1959, at Grace Episcopal Church in Huron, SD and they made their first home in Mitchell, SD. In 1964, she and her family moved to Afton, Iowa. They had five children, Jon, Ann, Mary, Jeff, and Samuel.

She loved her work both as a geriatrics caregiver and as a parent. At the Afton Care Center, she started as a Certified Nurses Aid and acquired certifications as a Med-Aid, Physical Therapist Aid, and Activity Director. She took great care to meet the needs of all those she came in contact. As a parent, she loved taking walks or bike rides with the whole family, going camping, making popcorn every weekend, playing games like croquet, monopoly, cards and, of course, watching her children grow up. She was a dedicated mother and loved seeing her kids gain success. She moved to Kentucky in 2014, where she lived with her daughter, Mary and near her daughter Ann. Mary’s consistent care and laughter with her mom enriched both their lives and the beloved pet Tank, a black Labrador, provided a watchful, caring eye for Janice, especially looking for any treats she might provide. Janice was a patriot and loved her county.

Janice is survived by her children, Jon and his wife Mary, Ann and her husband Drew, Mary, Jeff and his wife Lynda, and Sam. She has three grandchildren, Quawna from Jon, and Marti and Levi from Jeff.

She was preceded by her parents, Bob and Nellie Thyberg, her husband, Dave Sutton, and her brother, David Raymond Singer.

There will be an informal memorial service celebrating Jan’s life at her daughter Mary’s house (761 Martin Road, Rineyville, KY) on June 29, 2019, at 7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, send condolences to 761 Martin Road Rineyville Kentucky 40162 and donations to Samaritan Purse.

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