April 13, 1942 - December 15, 2025
OBITUARY
Janice was at home, surrounded by her loving family, when her Lord and Savior called her home on December 15, 2025. She was 83.
Janice was born on April 13, 1942, on the family farm in Hazelton, North Dakota, where she spent most of her childhood. She attended Bismarck High School, and on March 11, 1959, she married Darwin Strobel. They had two children in Bismarck, then moved to Lodi, California, in 1961, where they welcomed their third child. In 1969, they relocated their little family to Citrus Heights, California, and finally, in 1976, they purchased a home on a small parcel of land in Orangevale, where both Janice and Darwin would one day take their final breath.
Janice was a devout Christian; her love for the Lord seemed woven into the tapestry of her being. So, it was no surprise when, shortly after moving to Citrus Heights, both Janice and Darwin became members of The Lutheran Church of the Ascension in 1977, where they remained active for more than 50 years. Janice devoted as much time as she could in service to God. She served as Secretary and later President of the church council; sang in the choir; served as a Stephen Minister; led weekly Bible studies; coordinated soup suppers during the Lenten season; taught Sunday School; and contributed in countless other ways—all while raising her three children and working full-time as a hairdresser.
There was a short hymn sung at the end of every worship service that Janice loved so much she had a personalized license plate made with its name. Since plates are limited to seven characters, it read “DOXOLGY”—a tribute to the Doxology
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Janice loved to travel, and she was able to see much of the world during her life, including cherished trips to the Holy Land and to her ancestral homelands of Russia and Germany. She embarked on many cruises, sailing through the Panama Canal, around the Hawaiian Islands, and throughout the Greek Isles. She spent time in Egypt, Israel, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Bavaria, France, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Ireland, New Zealand, Tahiti, Mexico, Canada, the Bahamas, and Colombia—just to name a few! She also traveled extensively throughout the United States, visiting nearly all 50 states. She journeyed with friends from church, as well as with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Janice was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Darwin; her parents, Jacob and Christine (Olhauser) Fried; and her siblings Rebecca Williams, Wilbert Fried, Viola Heinle, Clayton Fried, LeRoy Fried, her twin sister and best friend Janet Horner, and Johnny Fried. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Janell and Barry Koeppel; her sons, Randall and Daniel Strobel; her grandchildren Misty, Gretchn, and Ryan; and her great-grandchildren Taylor, Alexander, Jocylyn, Gillian, and Ashton.
Janice was cherished by her family, and she will be deeply and forever missed.
Flowers may be sent to Lutheran Church of the Ascension. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the same.
VISITATION
A visitation and service will be held from 12:00pm - 1:00pm on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 at the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA.
SERVICE
Memorial Service January 20, 2026 at 11:00am at Lutheran Church of the Ascension 7607 Garden Gate Drive Citrus Heights, California
Please leave your condolences below.
Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Strobel family.
