Jan Otterson

Jan Marie Otterson was born on December 29, 1958 in Fargo, ND to Arne and Joy (Lepird) Otterson. In 1964, she moved with her family to Mesa, AZ and in 1967 to Scottsdale, AZ. Jan graduated from Chaparrel High School and went on to attend Arizona State University. During her youth, she was involved with her family showing horses at Gymkhana event and beef cattle in 4H. She worked as an administrative assistant in a variety of businesses. Jan raised her son with his father (Dean Milke). She was active with youth soccer and baseball, coaching and cheering for her son’s teams. After the passing of her parents in 2006, she moved to Litchville, ND. In 2007 Jan met Dale Rienstra, they were married in 2012. She enjoyed her career as a corrections officer at the North Dakota State Department of Corrections in Jamestown, ND. Jan developed a special interest in refurbishing a couple-of turn-of-the-century homes and spent a great deal of time outdoors: gardening, mowing and tending to perennial gardens. She raised and showed Chinese Shar-pei dogs for 25 years. During those years she was able to travel to many places around the United States. Dale and Jan enjoyed RV travel to dog shows and going on family camping trips. Jan passed away at her home on February 15, 2015, while being cared for by her family with the help of Hospice of the Red River Valley. She fought a courageous battle, against the odds, with pancreatic cancer. Jan is survived by her husband, Dale Rienstra of Litchville, ND; her son Derek Milke of Phoenix, AZ; a sister, Jessica (Kevin) Owens of Glendale, AZ; a brother, Scott Otterson of Litchville; nieces and nephews, Jennifer Owen, Shauna Stotts, Marissa Owens, Wyatt Owens, and Mellisa Gardoni; her step-children, Chad Rienstra of Bismarck, ND, Jackie (Kent) Vlieger of Huron, ND, and Ryan (Erin) Rienstra of Miles City, MT; step-grandchildren, Callie, Seth, Ada, Cora, Owen, Joise, Tess, and Luke; her in-laws, Elaine and Jack Daily, Jeff Rienstra, and Michelle Rienstra; as well as an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She also leaves her beloved pets, Polaris, Marty, and Calico. She was preceded in death by her parents. A memorial service for Jan will be 1 pm Friday, February 20, at First Reformed Church, Litchville, ND, with Pastor Paul Peterson officiating. Visitation will be 6 pm Thursday with a prayer service at 7 pm at the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel. An online guestbook for Jan is available at www.oliver-nathanchapel.com

Jan Otterson

December 29, 1958 - February 15, 2015