Janice M. Wilke, 77

With family at her side, loving wife and mother Janice M. Wike passed away at her Fairbanks, Alaska, home Nov. 18, 2016.
Janice was born Feb. 19, 1939, to Axel and Thordis Hammerstrom. One of ten siblings, Janice grew up in the town of Lancaster, Minn., where she was the salutatorian of her high school class, as well as a basketball cheerleader. Hardworking and cheerful, Janice was highly regarded by both her teachers and her many friends.
Janice attended Moorhead State, Moorhead, Minn., graduating in 1961 with a degree in elementary education. She taught school for two years in Tower, Minn., before accepting a teaching position in Fairbanks.
Janice married Larry Wike on June 4, 1964, and for the next few years assisted her husband with hospitality businesses near Clear and Healy, Alaska, while also being a mother to their three young children. The family moved to the Fairbanks area in 1969.
Janice was a dedicated wife and mother who had many longtime friends throughout Alaska. She kept active in her later years, enjoying outings with several Fairbanks social groups, attending bible study and spending time with her grandson.
Janice is survived by her daughter Melanie and grandson Matthew; her sons Terence and Christopher; her siblings Lyla, Verna, Dale, Gordon, Sharon, Carol, Linda and Valorie; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her husband Larry K. Wike, who died  April 21, 2014, and her brother Gary W. Hammerstrom, who died on Oct. 11, 2011.