Janice Lucille Gillihan

Janice Lucille Gillihan, 83, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the Marietta’s Place in Manchester, Iowa, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. She was born on January 8, 1940, the daughter of Lester and Doris (Griffin) Paulsen in Exira, Iowa at her Aunt Emma’s home. Janice was raised and educated in the Exira area, attending country school and graduating from Exira High School in 1958. She then attended Iowa State College for a year. She was proud that in her youth she was a member of 4-H and won Grand Champion Market Beef twice.

On October 2, 1960, Janice was united in marriage to Norman Gillihan at Exira Lutheran Church in Exira. Three children were born to this union. Janice and Norm lived in Atlantic until moving to Manchester in 1978. She worked in the dietary department in the Atlantic schools and West Delaware.

Janice worked as a volunteer for Hospice Care, Camp Courageous, the Presbyterian Church and the Regional Medical Hospital Auxiliary.  She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the Red Hat Society, many card clubs, and was a Master Gardener.  Janice was an avid walker, enjoyed maintaining her extraordinary flower gardens, great baker and cook, and quilting, making each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren a beautiful quilt. Her grandchildren loved her chocolate chip cookies!  She adored her family and loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Norman Gillihan of Manchester; three children, Sheri (Scott) Weber of Delhi, Todd (Jean Gilpin) Gillihan of Iowa City, and Jason (Julie) Gillihan of Manchester; four grandchildren, Erica (Michael) Steinberg of Manchester, Jordan (Katrina Plotz) Weber of Cedar Rapids, Mason Gillihan of North Liberty, and Garrison Gillihan of Manchester; five great-grandchildren; Jarron and Leighton Weber of Cedar Rapids, and Everly, Hadley, and Enslee Steinberg of Manchester; six siblings, Kent (Jane Beckendorf) Paulsen, Dave Paulsen, and Perry (Barb) Paulsen all of Exira, Vicky (Noel) McKibbin of Adel, Rhonda (Jerry) Chase of Council Bluffs, and Mark Paulsen of Exira; and several nieces and nephews.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents.

Janice’s family would like to thank the Good Neighbor Society, Marietta’s Place, and Care Initiatives Hospice for their compassion and great care for our wife and mother.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Good Neighbor Society.

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