Janice Fay Striemer

After a bravely fought 6-month-long battle with lung cancer, Janice Fay Striemer, formerly of Waldheim, quietly took her leave on November 15, 2024 in the palliative care ward at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. 

Janice was born on October 24, 1951 in, Waldheim, Saskatchewan to Carl and Rosella Striemer, the second oldest of five children. She received all her schooling there, though academics were not her passion. She claimed her favourite class was recess and her best subject was spelling and penmanship. Early on, she developed a love for Elvis Presley (both his movies and his music), a lifelong obsession with the colour purple, and an appreciation for Coca-Cola collectibles which grew into quite an impressive display.

Her childhood years were spent building strong friendships with schoolmates, many of whom she was still close to. Another source of friendship was her large group of over 100 cousins that extended from Manitoba all the way west to British Columbia. She loved staying in touch and knowing about each and every one. 

After leaving school, she tried several different types of jobs in the city, but in 1975 was given the opportunity to work in the kitchen at the Menno Home back in Waldheim. She learned everything she knew about cooking in that kitchen, alongside many great mentors, eventually working her way up to head cook. Jan spent 27 very enjoyable years there, providing delicious food for the residents, all of whom she had great affection for. Not only was the work satisfying, so too was the camaraderie of her coworkers. Many happy times were had playing pranks, sharing jokes, and loving work life to its fullest with colleagues that felt more like family. 

If you didn’t know she loved to laugh, you didn’t know Jan very well. She gravitated towards those with a great sense of humour because laughter was always an important part of home life growing up. Whether it was a funny movie, a well-written joke, or an off-the-cuff story that resulted in hilarity, she was there for it. 

To her close family and friends, Jan’s home was a revolving door where everyone was welcome. She was always up for a visit; countless conversations were had around her kitchen table with friends who stopped by or with her brothers, who would keep her up late regaling her with their silly stories. 

She was also a fan of board games. Once she pulled out the cribbage board, you’d soon learn how good she was and she would proceed to politely beat the pants off you. While she adored a rousing game of bingo, but not many knew Jan was also a card shark, highly skilled at Texas Hold ‘Em poker. Crossword puzzles, online games, Trivial Pursuit — she loved them all. Never afraid of a challenge, she was known for her love of jigsaw puzzles, completing so many over the last few years with her good friend Ann. 

If she cooked or baked for you, she loved you; making meals was her love language. Savoury borscht, delicious homemade buns, and the best cream gravy you’ve ever tasted were a few of her specialties, though everything she made was fantastic. 

When it came to family history, no one will ever know more than Jan. After many years of gathering dates and names in the 1980s, she managed to compile a family tree that everyone wanted a copy of. Based of her research, and from repeatedly typing out the information, she could rattle off anyone’s birthdate or anniversary. She even good-naturedly let the whole Striemer family put her to the test at a 2006 reunion in a game we called “Stump Jan.” She was unstumpable, and leaves this world the undisputed family history champion. 

Speaking of family… Jan was predeceased by her parents Carl & Rosella (nee Giesbrecht) Striemer; brothers Garry Striemer and Randy Striemer; sisters-in-law Molly Striemer and Linda Striemer; nephew David Goertzen; and sister-cousin Pearl Frostad. 

She will be missed by all those who made memories with her, including her devoted daughter Traycee Martens and loving grandson Greyson Wiebe of Saskatoon; her younger sisters Jeannette Garbe and Carla Striemer of Saskatoon; her sister-cousins Laverna Philip of Red Deer, and Rosemary Lane (Doug) of Andover, Kansas; nieces and nephews Lee Striemer of Saskatoon; Tiffany Marlin (Ron) of Galveston, Texas; Colton Garbe (Skyla) of Saskatoon; Tyra Wall (Ben) of Saskatoon and Taylor Goertzen of Saskatoon. Grand nephew and nieces Tayah Disney (Patrick) of Houston, Texas; Matthew & Katrina Striemer of Regina. Great grand nephew and nieces Sophia & Ava Disney, and Harrison & Natalie Garbe. Plus dozens of cousins and so many great friends. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, November 22, 2024 at 1:30 pm in the Mennonite Brethren Church in Waldheim, Sask.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Kinsmen Telemiracle, a cause close to Janice’s heart, as it has helped many of the people she spent her life dedicated to serving.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honoured to be entrusted with Janice's care.