Janice Grabau, age 73, formerly of Wykoff, Minn., died on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Marys Campus, in Rochester, Minn.
Janice Marie Holtberg was born on May 6, 1952 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minn., the daughter of Alvin W. Holtberg and Myrtle Selma (Steuck) Holtberg. Janice was baptized at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Evansville, Minn. Janice spent her first four years in Evansville, Minn., and moved with her parents to Preston, Minn., in 1957. She grew up in Preston, where she graduated from Preston-Fountain High School in 1970. She then attended Winona Area Vocational Technical School and graduated from a two-year accounting program in 1972. She worked her whole life in the Fillmore County area. She lived in Preston, Minn., and Wykoff, Minn.
Janice married Melvin James Grabau on May 18, 1991 at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, Minn. Janice and Melvin joined St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Wykoff after their wedding.
Janice enjoyed doing her accounting work, knitting 6-foot afghans for the VA hospital in the Twin Cities, making personalized baby quilts, as well as general and craft sewing, and reading.
Janice is survived by her husband Melvin Grabau of Wykoff, Minn., her sister Cheryl “Cheri” Miller and special friend Steven R. Ungerer, both of Hawkeye, Iowa; her brother Dale (Sylvia) Holtberg of Minneapolis, Minn.; nieces and nephews Traci Cooley, Tammy (Douglas) Bushman, Troy (Nikki) Cooley, niece-in-law Jacinda Cooley, great-nieces and nephews Hayley Bushman, Savannah Bushman, Colton Bushman, Tepary Cooley, Omri Cooley, Dakota Cooley and Chase Cooley.
Janice was preceded in death by her mother (Myrtle) in 1986 and father (Alvin) in 1987, as well as her grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and nephew Travis Cooley.
Funeral service for Janice will be at 11 a.m., on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Wykoff, Minn., with Rev. Timothy Sandeno officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the start of the service on Thursday, from 10-11 a.m. Burial will take place at St. Johns Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.hindtfuneralhomes.com.
Charlene a Bly says
Sincere sympathy to the family. Janice was maid of honor at my wedding. My best friend. Had so many good times
Ann Stevenson says
I remember how friendly she was when I’d take my car to be serviced at Peterson’s in spring valley. Rest in peace🎚️
Fran Fairbairn Sauer says
I am sorry to learn of the passing of another classmate. Please, accept my condolence. Janice was a walking “calculator”.. … If any of us had a numerical question, we asked Janice! We will remember her at our upcoming Class Reunion, in September. May precious memories console you & your family.
Lavonne Mensink says
Sincere sympathy to Melvin and Janice s family