Janice Karen Workman

Janice Karen Workman, age 72, went ‘home’ to her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 12th, 2019 at her home on Sunflower Lane at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility, in Fremont, Michigan.  She was born on November, 23rd, 1946 in Muskegon Heights, Michigan to John and Violet Workman.

At the age of 6, the family moved to Aetna, where they lived for 34 years.  Jan graduated from Fremont High School in 1968 and went on to work for Goodwill Industries for one year.  Jan was a member of Aetna Calvary Church and devoted much of her life to teaching young children of the love of Jesus Christ.  She loved music and taught many of her nieces and nephews to play ‘Chop Sticks’ on the piano as well as spending many a summer showing them the joys and secrets of living on the White River.   

In 1986 Jan and her mother moved back to Muskegon and for many years lived at Christian Care, a senior care living facility. Following a fall in 2011 Jan spent several months in the Christian Care Nursing Home recuperating until she was able to return to Fremont and make her final home at the Newaygo Medical Care Facility.

Though Jan suffered most of her life with her own disabilities she rarely spoke of or acknowledged that she was challenged daily.  She would often go out of her way to pay special attention to each and every resident, nurse, aide and caregiver she would come in contact with.  Her signature ‘wave’ was sent to anyone passing by and her wry sense of humor often kept you smiling long after you left her presence.  Her favorite question to all the medical providers she encountered was – ‘What’s your favorite car?” As soon as they would tell her she would tell them her wheelchair was a Nissan and managed to get her anywhere she wanted to go.   As Jan’s physical disabilities worsened she found herself non-ambulatory and relying completely upon the loving care of her nurses and aides at NMCF. 

Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Violet (Stone) Workman of White Cloud, Michigan; brother and sister-in-law, John (Louise) Workman of Lagrange, Indiana; ‘Sis’ Darlene Thompson of Kalamazoo, Michigan and brother, James Workman of Bloomington, Illinois.

Surviving is her brother, Dr. Ronald E. (Sharon) Workman of White Cloud, brother-in-law, Donald Thompson of Kalamazoo, Michigan and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

In lieu of flowers charitable donations may be made to:

Newaygo Medical Care Facility, 4465 W. 48th Street, Fremont, MI 49412

Interim Ministries International, 330 Van Buren Street, Hudsonville, MI  49426  (www.imisosinternational.org) 

A graveside service will take place for family and friends at the Oakwood Cemetery in Muskegon, Michigan on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 2:00 P.M.  Arrangements entrusted to the Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home of Fremont, Michigan. Individuals may sign the online guest and memory book at kroeze-wolffis.com.

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