Janice Athella Conger Skousen peacefully passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 in Overton, Nevada, just two days before her 89th birthday. Janice was born September 14, 1935 in Cedar City, Utah to William Lewis and Ida Leona Lee Conger. On May 31, 1957 she married Lester (Larry) Platte Skousen in the St. George LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on September 24, 2013.
Janice spent her first couple years of life in Las Vegas, and then moved to Panaca, Nevada where she and her brother, Lane, were raised by their parents. She was a confident, outgoing girl, and considered herself very lucky to have the childhood she had. As a teenager, she honed her skills of ice skating, baton twirling, and cheerleading, and was crowned the Rodeo Queen without ever riding a horse!
During her young adult years, she held various jobs including secretary for the District Attorney, Geneva Steel runner and cleaning houses. While at BYU in Provo, Utah, Janice met and married Larry Skousen. They moved to Las Vegas and it was there that they raised their four children.
Janice was a devoted wife, mother and disciple of Jesus Christ. She loved serving in many different callings and in many different temples. She ministered to many who needed her, whether she knew them or not. A woman, dying from cancer, who barely knew Janice, asked her to take in her son when she passed away. Janice did not hesitate and welcomed him into her home and cared for this young man for several years. She visited and comforted shut-ins and provided refuge for traveling mothers who needed a place to stay while their children were at the hospital in Las Vegas. In later years, Janice found joy in crocheting hats and lovingly giving them away.
Janice was constantly bettering herself by learning various skills. She learned to sew, arrange flowers, refinish and upholster furniture, decorate cakes, cook Chinese cuisine, ski and whatever else she set her mind to.
Later in life, Janice, and her best friend, Pauline, created Magical Memories, a successful wedding catering and decorating business.
With limited ability to speak the Spanish language, Janice enthusiastically accompanied Larry on three missions in South America and was able to learn the Spanish necessary to serve in the Peru and Bolivia temples and to speak in many stakes and wards. They also served another mission in the United States.
Janice enjoyed reading and compiling/writing family histories. She will be remembered for her commitment to her family, to temple work and for the pure love of Christ that she freely gave to others.
Janice is survived by two daughters: Lorri (Jared) Rust of Overton, NV and Kellee (Tom) Horito of Las Vegas, NV; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-one great grandchildren; and one son in law Mark (Jann) Arenaz of Idaho Falls, ID. She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; daughter, Tonya Arenaz; son, Brett; grandchildren: Brighton Weeda and Audrey Rust, and brother, Lane Conger.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Panaca Chapel, 1065 Main Street, Panaca, Nevada. Visitation will be from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will follow in the Panaca Cemetery.
Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.