It is with profound sadness that the family of Janice Ann Wiersema (nee Selman) announce her passing on December 12, 2025, days after her 81st birthday, at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Science Centre after a short battle with cancer.
Janice was born on December 4, 1944, in Blue Township, Ontario, on the family farm to Curtis and Ila Selman. Janice enjoyed life on the farm with her siblings and often spoke of time spent there with her cousins. She attended Blue #3 public school and Rainy River High School. In high school Janice met Cornelis (Corrie) Wiersema and they were united in marriage on February 16, 1963 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where they lived for three years before returning to the Rainy River District, where she lived until her passing.
She is survived by her husband Corrie; and their children Dean (Christine) Wiersema, Corinne (Brad) Webb, and Curtis (Janice) Wiersema; her grandchildren Kevin (Angela) Wiersema, Janine (Colin) Angus, Braden Webb (Autumn), Griffen Wiersema, and Claire Wiersema (Grant); and her great-granddaughters Hunter, Carter, and Wyatt; Also left to mourn are her brother Ernie (Diane) Selman; sisters Shirley Jensson and Linda Selman; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Janice was predeceased by her infant daughter Kimberly Ann; her parents Curtis and Ila Selman; in-laws Jan and Froujke Wiersema; and brother Donald Selman.
In 1967, Janice and Corrie started Corrie’s Auto and Body Service (C.A.B.S.) in Rainy River. After selling the business in 1977, Janice went to work at CIBC in Rainy River until her retirement. During these years, Janice was an instrumental part of the successful businesses that she and Corrie started, including an auction service, CN van service, laundromat, and Camp of the Woods to name a few.
In their retired years, Janice and Corrie spent 23 winters in Palmetto, Florida, at the Coach House Mobile Home and RV Park, where they made many lifelong friends. They enjoyed several cruises and travelled across Canada and the U.S., visiting friends, family and discovering new places. A memorable trip was to Holland for a family reunion and to see where Corrie’s family was from.
Throughout her life Janice enjoyed gardening and sewing; she made each grandchild a personal quilt. Knitting sweaters, baby blankets and many, many pairs of slippers was her favourite way to pass the evenings. She also enjoyed camping and fishing.
Janice was a member and at one time president of the Kinettes club. Her family was most important to her and she loved spoiling her children & grandchildren with their favourite meals and treats.
Janice was a faithful member of the Emo Christian Reformed Church. She taught Sunday school and helped with catechism classes, and was a member of the building committee for their current church.
Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no funeral. A celebration of life will be held at a later date at her final resting place at the Blue cemetery.
The family would like to thank Dr. Karina Arnesen in Fort Frances, and the doctors and nursing staff on unit 2B at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, for the excellent care and compassion during her short illness.
The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
