Janice Tebbs Gottfredson

1941 ~ 2020

Obituary Photo for Janice Tebbs Gottfredson < >

Service:

Nov. 14, 2020
4:00 AM
Zoom link at the bottom of the obituary

Janice Tebbs Gottfredson passed away peacefully surrounded by family members on Monday, November 9, 2020 in her Salt Lake City home, after enduring the effects of Parkinson’s and dementia.

Janice was born during Thanksgiving time, November 24, 1941, to Daniel Asay and Nedra Henrie Tebbs in Panguitch, Utah. Janice grew up working hard and living frugally. She loved going to the Tebbs Ranch with her father. All that horse riding paid off when at age 14 she was crowned queen over the annual Panguitch Homecoming Rodeo.

In 1960 Janice met a nice boy named Michael Gottfredson from the town of Circleville, just down the road. He was smitten with her from the start. She took more convincing. They married for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple on Aug 2, 1961 and honeymooned in Yellowstone National Park and St. George, Utah. Janice and Michael cherished their Southern Utah heritage, but their marriage marked the beginning of a path that would lead them to raise their family in Salt Lake City.

Janice was a world-class homemaker. Her devotion to her husband and seven children was truly amazing. She sang her children to sleep, read stories out loud, kept a clean home, sewed prom dresses, and served three fresh meals per day.

She was also a protective mother who valued straight talk above diplomacy. Her children remember times when she cut the cord to the TV. There may have also been a few girlfriends who were run off because they weren’t right for her boys.

After the children left home, she and Michael turned their lives to full-time service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Together they touched lives across the four corners of the globe. First was service with 555 missionaries in the Washington DC North Mission.

Later, there was a mission to The Europe East Area headquartered in Moscow, Russia extending to outlying cities and countries. They accompanied newly called missionaries to the Stockholm, Sweden Temple on several occasions. They did humanitarian work in Almaty, Kazakstan; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Highlights included providing clothing, wheelchairs, sewing machines, computers, pigs and cows, beds and mattresses that benefited thousands in Central Asia.

In 2013 while on a mission to the Philippines the early signs of Parkinson’s disease were first noticed. For the last seven years she battled this disease and dementia like an angel on earth. As the diseases progressed her genteel, proper nature showed through in a myriad of ways that humbled and touched the hearts of the people close to her. Her family was amazed at how she remained contented and peaceful.

Janice is survived by her husband of over 59 years, James Michael Gottfredson, and her seven children and their seven companions Lorraine (Stewart) Dickson, Kent Michael (Heather Astin) Gottfredson, Andrea Gay (Neil) Callister, Daniel Tebbs (Heather Vriens) Gottfredson, Sheri Ann (David) Williams, Steven Martin (Merrilee Lloyd) Gottfredson, Matthew Arthur (Shelly Leanne Dudley) Gottfredson and by 33 grandchildren and companions and 20 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and her younger sister Lucinda Ruth Tebbs Judd.

The family expresses deep gratitude for all her caregivers including most recently Elenoa Saafi who tenderly and lovingly cared for our precious companion and mother Janice until the end.

A sacred funeral celebration will be held Saturday November 14, 2020 at 11:00 am for immediate family members only because of COVID-19. We invite family and friends to view the live proceedings on Zoom at the following address:

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Meeting ID: 842 2808 6080

Passcode: 480158

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In lieu of flowers, to continue Janice’s love for people in need, including those of Central Asia and the Philippines, consider a donation to the Humanitarian Aid Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints give.ChurchofJesusChrist.org/humanitarianaid or a charity of your choice.


Guestbook/Condolences

Sorry for your loss. You and I served in Helena, 400 N. Rodney, from 10 Feb. 57 to 22 Apr. 58.
A member of the Helena Ward was Joan Karyl Evans. I knew Joan in Helena, but didn't begin associating with her until she came to BYU with her friend Eva Kaye Glover. I married Joan 22 June, 1960. Joan passed away 16 Sep. 1988 from brain cancer.
We will see if we can participate with you on the 14th via virtual.
I enjoyed our missionary days together, and our conversations at the mission reunions.
Stay safe, and happy.
Regards
Jerry Butt
801 292-6048
jj171@comcast.net


- Jerry Butt

Janice and I are cousins through William Madison Wall, his daughter Temperance, to my grandfather Archie Boren to my mother Lucille Boren.
It's interesting the connection that we find with those that we know.
Jerry Butt


- Jerry Butt

Mike we were so sorry to see your dear wife's obit today. Please except our condolences. We think and thank you often for the help you gave us for a wonderful part of our family.


- Keith & Beverly Fullmer

I would like to thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity I had to meet Sister Gottfredson on my mission. I am a better person for meeting her. She had the ability to be straight and loving at the same time. She was always happy and smiling. She taught me a lot of things about the gospel and life. I hope to meet you again.
I send my condolences to all the family members and I wish you peace and comfort that only Jesus Christ can give you.


- ESDRAS FATTOBENE

I have warm memories growing up going to Aunt Janice and Uncle Mike's home on Sunday evenings. There were always warm rolls and plenty of them. She would console me on our occasional sleep-overs and was always very kind to me. A small gesture and memory I have is once when I stopped by to visit with my young family and how both Janice and Mike followed us out to the car on the street to thank us for coming. I remember thinking, they didn't need to come all the way out here. But that was one of many small ways in which they loved people and made us feel special. I send my condolences to my cousins and Uncle Mike. This darn Covid stuff kept us from coming to the funeral but my wife and I's thoughts were with you.


- Brent Hale

Martha and I wish to send our sincere condolences with Janice's passing. Janice was such a kind and happy person. We enjoyed her many visits to Maryland to visit Dan and Heather. She seem to be the perfect complement to Mike. Together they were amazing and had a positive influence on some many people. It was easy to see that her greatest joy and success was her family. She always had a twinkle in her eye when she was around her children and grandchildren. She will be missed but leaves a legacy of love and devotion to God.


- Robert and Martha Marsh

Mike,
Just want you to know I am thinking of you and your family. I know that Heavenly Father will bless all of you with the peace and comfort you need at this time. It was a wonderful service yesterday. I was glad to find out that you and Janice have such an outstanding family and have helped so many people in your life.
I remember that Janice was a sweet little girl who had a close relationship with Grandma Tebbs.


- Tebbs Adams