Janice Audrey Lorch, 78, Mantorville

Janice Audrey (Rice) Lorch, 78, passed away unexpectedly on May 6, 2021, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester. She was born in Albert Lea on April 22, 1943, to Harry and Ann (Terpstra) Rice and was raised in Hollandale.

Janice attended Hollandale Grade School and Albert Lea High School where she graduated in 1961. She then attended Mankato Commercial College and after graduation in May 1962 began working at IBM in the Key Punch Department. Janice was proud to have saved enough money to pay cash for a new Ford Mustang in 1966. She left IBM in the mid-1970s to devote her life to being a full-time mom. 

In the spring of 1968, she met her soon-to-be husband, Terry Lorch. at the roller-skating rink in Brownsdale. They were married on Nov. 30, 1968, at the Hollandale Reformed Church on a beautiful 60°F day and made their home in Kasson. In 1969, they purchased their farm north of Mantorville where they raised their four children. They welcomed Tammy, Jeffrey, Tobin, and Jay.

While her children were growing, Janice spent her free time volunteering with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as well as 4-H. 

Wherever Janice went, her camera was not far away. She could always be counted on to capture special moments and loved to document everything. Many family disagreements have been settled through researching her photo albums. Janice’s hobbies included making crafts and cards, writing letters, sewing, knitting, genealogy, watching war movies, and going to garage sales. Each year she looked forward to entering photos, flowers, and ear corn in the county fair. Janice especially enjoyed fishing, gardening (both vegetables and flowers), and then canning or freezing the produce she grew.

However, helping Terry with the pig chores or trying to find him in a field were not her most favorite things to do. In her later years, Janice looked forward to time spent with her friends during meetings of her women’s circle at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kasson and the Dodge County Extension Homemakers. 

Janice’s greatest joy was her grandchildren: Jacob, Julia, Carter, Audrey, Amelia, & Madisen. She attended as many of their school, 4-H, and sports activities as she could and loved to write them letters.  

Janice is survived by her husband, Terry, and their children: Tammy Lorch;  Jeff and Shawna Lorch and their girls, Julia and Amelia; Tobin and Karen Lorch and their children, Carter, Audrey and Madisen; Jay and Sarah Lorch and their son, Jacob. Many in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends will miss her, too.

She is proceeded in death by her parents and siblings, Patricia, Ronald, Darryl and James, her twin brother who died the day after he was born. 

Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, at Byron Funeral Home, Byron, and one hour preceding the funeral at the church. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 13, at Faith Lutheran Church in Dodge Center with Rev. Norman Wahl presiding. Burial will be at Wildwood Cemetery in Wasioja. 

Byron Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.byronfuneralhome.com.