Janice L. Kutsch, age 80, of Dubuque, passed away suddenly at home on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. To honor Janice’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Monday, February 5, 2018, at St. Raphael’s Cathedral, 231 Bluff Street, with Msgr. Thomas E. Toale officiating. To celebrate Janice’s life, family and friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, February 4, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where a parish scripture wake service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Janice was born on January 19, 1938, in Dubuque, Iowa, daughter of Paul and Dorothy (Coyle) Sands.

Janice was a lifelong Dubuquer. After graduating from the Academy of the Visitation, Janice went on to study nursing in Marshalltown and obtained her LPN. She worked in the nursery at Xavier Hospital and cared for many newborns, and later worked with many families and patients at Stonehill Care Center for over 25 years. She married Ronald Kutsch on October 3, 1959 at St. Raphael’s Cathedral Church. They were blessed with 58 wonderful years together, 7 children, 22 beautiful grandchildren, and 20 adored great-grandchildren, with 1 great-grandson due in April. Janice was a genuinely great person. She was sincere and thoughtful. She taught her children to love unconditionally as we continue to teach our children to do the same. She will be in our hearts forever.

She was especially proud of her family. Traveling to visit her children with Ron were some of her fondest times. She loved celebrating birthdays, going on picnics, family gatherings, and the holidays; with Christmas being her favorite. She was always sending birthday cards. She loved her frequent road trips with her brother, Jim, her annual Christmas dinner with her siblings, and going out to lunch with her sister, Judy, and many close friends. Janice also especially enjoyed her 80th birthday party which we just held for her on January 20th.

We know that heaven has gained a very special angel. She will be sadly missed by many.

Those left to cherish Janice’s memory include

her loving husband,
Ronald Kutsch, Dubuque, IA;

her children,
Carol (Louie Sutter) Bly, Dubuque, IA,
Robert (Lynn) Kutsch, Dubuque, IA,
Mary (Thomas) Thill, Dubuque, IA,
Jean (Mark) Fagan, Lexington, KY,
David (Teresa) Kutsch, San Antonio, TX,
Teresa (Todd) Sheeder, Lee Summit, MO
and Mark (Jeanne) Kutsch, Des Moines, IA;

her 22 grandchildren,
Melissa (Nick) Distler, Emily (Justin) Kaufman, Lee (Ken) Bowman, Bryan (Hayley) Bly, Matthew Kutsch, Nicole (Alex) Miller, James (J.P.) (Jean) Meisenburg, II, Marty (Ashlie) Meisenburg, Andrew Thill, Paul Thill, Kenny Fagan, Staci Fagan, Kristina (Mark) Maynard, Steven Fagan, Joshua Kutsch, Jacob Kutsch, Jon Kutsch, Lewis Sheeder, Megan Sheeder, Lauren Sheeder, Sarah Kutsch and Anne Kutsch;

her 20 great-grandchildren, with 1 more on the way,
Derrick, Levi and Austin Distler, Hailey, Kenna, Eli and Thea Bowman, Trent Kutsch, Weston Miller, Kyle, Natalie, Ashlie and Jack Kaufman, Carter Bly, Keagan and Lincoln Tate, Kaylee Maynard, Teagan, Aidan and LillyAnn Meisenburg and Matthew James Meisenburg, due in April;

her siblings,
Paul (Mary Ann) Sands, Bartlett, IL,
Judy (Dennis) Ball, Dubuque, IA,
Robert (Janet) Sands, Madison, WI
and Jim (Patti) Sands, Dubuque, IA;

and her in-laws,
Ken (Donna) Kutsch, Dubuque, IA,
Joe Kutsch, Dubuque, IA,
Ginny Hurlburt, Dubuque, IA,
Norb (Linda) Kutsch, Sherrill, IA,
Linda Klinkhammer, Dubuque, IA
and Lenny (Tyra) Kutsch, Dubuque, IA.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ray (Louise) Kutsch; a sister-in-law, Mary Clare Kutsch; and 2 brothers-in-law, Art Hurlburt and Ed Klinkhammer.

A Janice L. Kutsch memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among her favorite charities.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com