MANSFIELD CENTER, CT
JANICE LORETTA PIKAL, age 78 of Mansfield Center, Connecticut went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 10, 2021. She was born on May 30, 1943 in Wadena, Minnesota to parents Raymond and Edna (Foltz) Klein.
Janice grew up in Minnesota and graduated from Wadena High School. She met the love of her life Michael in high school on a double date and they had been married for over 54 years until he passed in late February of 2018.
She completed her undergraduate education majoring in English at the University of Minnesota and received her master’s degree in English Education from the University of Tennessee in 1974. She was a certified teacher in both Indiana and Tennessee.
She decided to focus on being an amazing mom and dedicated her time to raising five children. Janice had a warm and charitable nature to family and her community. She was involved in the PTO and volunteered teaching literacy. Michael and Janice were recognized for their dedication to parenting and awarded the Blue Ribbon Parent Award for the Center Grove School District.
Janice was a devout Catholic and spent a lot of time at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Willimantic, Connecticut. She was very active in the National Council of Catholic Women serving on the board and elected as Province Director for two years.
Janice enjoyed traveling all over the world with her beloved husband and family. In later years, Janice most enjoyed visiting her grandchildren and spending time at her beach condo in Florida. She loved shopping and dining out.
She was known for her incredible generosity. She preferred spending money on her loved ones and always made her children the priority. She touched the lives of so many and will be held close in our hearts forever.
Janice is survived by her loving children: Mary Beth (Karl) Schadewald, Jon (Eva) Pikal, Robert (Susan) Pikal, Katherine (Jeff) Cleland, and Amy (Jay) Roberts; proud grandmother of: Sophia, Sabrina, Michael, Matthew, Kayla, Claire, Keaton, Derrick, Elaine, Kassie, Jaimie, Jackson, Elle and Cade; dearest sister of James Klein; preceded in death by beloved husband Michael Pikal, brother John Klein, and both parents.
A private memorial service will take place on Friday, July 30, 2021 at Coats Funeral Home in Waterford, Michigan. The family will have a larger celebration of life for extended family and friends in June 2022. This will include a church Mass and interment at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.
Those desiring may make a memorial contribution to Autism Speaks or Catholic Charities Diocese of Norwich, in memory of Janice.
