Janice Katherine Strobel

April 13, 1942 - December 15, 2025

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26

Janice was at home, surrounded by her loving family, when her Lord and Savior called her home on December 15, 2025. She was 83.

Janice was born on April 13, 1942, on the family farm in Hazelton, North Dakota, where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Bismarck High School, and on March 11, 1959, she married Darwin Strobel. They had two children in Bismarck, then moved to Lodi, California, in 1961, where they welcomed their third child. In 1969, they relocated their little family to Citrus Heights, California, and finally, in 1976, they purchased a home on a small parcel of land in Orangevale, where both Janice and Darwin would one day take their final breath.

Janice was a devout Christian; her love for the Lord seemed woven into the tapestry of her being. So it was no surprise when, shortly after moving to Citrus Heights, both Janice and Darwin became members of The Lutheran Church of the Ascension in 1977, where they remained active for more than 50 years. Janice devoted as much time as she could in service to God. She served as Secretary and later President of the church council; sang in the choir; served as a Stephen’s Minister; led weekly Bible studies; coordinated soup suppers during the Lenten season; taught Sunday School; and contributed in countless other ways—all while raising her three children and working full-time as a hairdresser.

There was a short hymn sung at the end of every worship service that Janice loved so much she had a personalized license plate paying tribute to its name - “DOXOLGY”—a tribute to the hymn “The Common Doxology” which read:

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Janice loved to travel, and she was able to see much of the world during her life, including cherished trips to the Holy Land and to her ancestral homelands of Russia and Germany. She embarked on many cruises, going across the Panama Canal, around the Hawaiian Islands, and throughout the Greek Isles. She spent time in Egypt, Israel, China, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, and Colombia—just to name a few! She also traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting nearly all 50 states. She journeyed with friends from church, as well as with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Darwin; her parents, Jacob and Christine (Olhauser) Fried; and her siblings Rebecca Williams, Wilbert Fried, Viola Heinle, Clayton Fried, LeRoy Fried, her twin sister and best friend Janet Horner, and John Fried. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janell and Barry Koeppel; her sons, Randall and Daniel Strobel; her grandchildren Misty, Gretchn, and Ryan; and her great-grandchildren Taylor, Alexander, Jocylyn, Gillian, and Ashton. Janice was cherished by her family, and she will be deeply and forever missed.

Services

Memorial Service

January 20, 2026 • 11:00 AM

Lutheran Church of the Ascension

7607 Garden Gate Drive

Citrus Heights, California

Visitation & Funeral

January 21, 2026 • 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Cherokee Memorial – Evergreen Chapel

14165 Beckman Road

Lodi, California

Graveside Service & Burial to follow immediately after the funeral.

Flowers may be sent to Lutheran Church of the Ascension.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the same.

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