Mrs. Janice Spieker

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UPDATED August 29, 2010

Hello Mr. Kubik,  

Our dear wife/mother passed away late Thursday afternoon, August 26th.  She will be deeply missed but we are comforted in the fact that she will no longer suffer with the battle of cancer and that she remained faithful to God's word and will be resurrected into the Kingdom of God. She devoted her life to many, especially her family, and we are thankful for her and our memories of her. 

Thank you,

The Harlan Spieker family

Janice Spieker, age 74, of Willow Lake, died Thursday August 26th in the Golden Living Center at Clark as a result of a brain tumor diagnosed February 2nd.

She was born Janice Joan Edleman on March 21, 1936, on a farm six miles southeast of Willow Lake, the oldest child of Elmer and Ruth (Neuberger) Edleman.

Always an excellent student, Janice started out at country school Washington #40.  While she was in second grade, however, her parents bought a farm one mile north of Willow Lake, choosing that location largely with concerns for their children’s education in mind. Janice graduated valedictorian of her class in 1954.

On November 26, 1954, she was united in marriage to Harlan Dale Spieker whose family had long been friends of the Edlemans.  After living in Willow Lake that first winter, they moved in March 1955 into their home that Harlan and his dad had remodeled from the Rosedale School south and west of Willow Lake where they have lived and farmed ever since until their retirement this spring.

An accomplished musician since her youth, Janice played piano and organ for audiences from a private few to a public several thousand.  After her youngest child started high school, she started working at Parkview Care Center and Assisted Living as a CNA/CMA, touching the lives of residents there for twenty years. She was a devoted mother to six children, an avid gardener, a talented quilter and needle worker, an enthusiastic world traveler, a hard-working farm wife, and a committed Christian. She had been a Church of God member since 1967. Janice faithfully served those many years alongside her husband, Harlan, who is an elder in the Watertown and Sioux Falls SD churches.

As her husband I can say, “She did us good all the days of her life.  She was beautiful, but ‘she don’t know she’s beautiful . . . though time and time I’ve told her so.’”!! 

Preceding her in death were her parents Elmer (in 1991) and Ruth (in 2006) Edleman and her youngest son Mark (in 1991).

Surviving her are her husband Harlan and children Sandra (Art) Dreaden of Crestview, FL, Susan Spieker of Greeley, CO, John (Marlene) Spieker of Bryant, SD, David (Dawn) Spieker of Willow Lake, SD, and Ann (Doug) Murphy of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Zac, Tyler (Jenny), Jesse (Shea), and Cody Dreaden, Dan (Meghan) Spieker, Bob (Kelly), Jered, and James (Janessa) Spieker, Dathan (Kami), Ashley, and Damon Spieker, Erin, Sarah, and Briana Murphy; and great-grandchildren Kim, Colin, Mason, and Jakob Spieker.

Also surviving her are her sister June Newberg and brother Myron Edleman and many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, and brothers-in-law.

UPDATED July 5, 2010

From Mitchell Knapp, pastor, Watertown/Sioux Falls, SD; Omaha, NE; Des Moines, IA: 


Harlan and Janice Spieker
Janice Spieker has now moved to hospice care. The aggressive tumor in her brain has progressed to the point that a medical cure is no longer being pursued, just comfort and pain relief.  She hasn’t experienced severe pain until recently, but now does need pain control. Janice puts her faith in God and is determined to maintain dignity whatever God’s will is. Thank you for many cards and letters that have cheered and encouraged her. She has expressed her appreciation many times. Please continue to pray for Janice, her husband, Harlan, and their family.

     42220  194th St.
     Willow Lake, SD  57278-6415
 

UPDATED May 20, 2010

Janice was able to come home to visit for Mother's Day, but she continues to stay at the Living Center because she feels very comfortable with the care she is receiving there. Janice has days when she cannot walk well, and then other good days when she can walk with a walker. But she is doing well and has been listening to many books on tape, since her vision makes it hard to focus on faces or printed material.  May 14th thru May 18th Janice took another 5 day round of chemo and seemed to handle it OK. Her next doctor appt. is June 10th. God can grant miracles and we are acknowledging all the little miracles coming our way, as we still wait and have faith of a big miracle.

UPDATED April 22, 2010

Janice's last radiation treatment was on March 30th and she was doing very well at home, although she was experiencing weakness and tiredness. However, on April 11th Janice had her first short seizure followed by another seizure 90 minutes later. This last seizure was of long duration (couple hours) and could not be controlled until she was administered IV medication in the ambulance on the way to Watertown. She was then air-lifted that evening to McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. All the children were able to be with her and Harlan in the hospital. 

We would have liked for her to be discharged to home, but Janice thought it wise that she be temporarily admitted to the Golden Living Center in Clark, SD in order to take advantage of the physical thereapy and nursing care that the facility offers. Janice was discharged from the hospital on Friday April 16th. With medication now to control seizures, she is showing good improvement. At the beginning of this week she could not even bear weight on her legs, but even 5 days later Janice is able to walk with the help of a walker again. Her appetite is good, she doesn't have any headaches or pain, and has a strong desire to do physical therapy to regain her strength.  

While in the hospital a new CAT scan and MRI were taken. We were greatly relieved to see that the chemo and radiation treatments and steroids have been doing their job to keep the swelling down around the tumor. In fact it showed that the tumor and swelling both were slightly reduced and had not grown further. So that was very encouraging!  Today, Thurs. April 22nd, we had a consultation with our medical oncologist and plans are that after Janice regains her strength, she may start a short cycle of chemo treamtments mid-May. If she continues to make the progress that she has been making, Janice expects to be home by the first week in May in time for Mother's Day which is also Harlan's 78th birthday!

 Until then cards may be sent either to their home address or to: Janice Spieker, Golden Living Center, 201 NW 8th Avenue, Clark SD 57225. Home address: Harlan and Janice Spieker, 42220 194th St. Willow Lake SD, 57278.

God is giving us great strength and we thank everyone for their prayers and the cards we have received worldwide. We ask that you continue to remember our family in prayer, because it gives us great encouragement and we feel your support. 

UPDATED March 22, 2010

Janice Spieker has been on a combination of chemo and radiation treatments —18 of 28 in the last four weeks— and is tolerating it well. Doctors were able to reduce the swelling around the tumor, so her dizziness has lessened, and she has not experienced nausea at all, which they believe is miraculous. She will have ten more daily treatments, then have no treatment for a short time, then be tested to see how it has worked, and go from there. Because of her positive response to treatment, doctors now feel she has much more time, but are unable to be specific. Janice is tired, but is in good spirits, and greatly appreciates all your prayers, cards, and support that have been so encouraging. Please continue your prayers for her complete healing.

     42220 194th St.
     Willow Lake, SD 57278-6415

UPDATED March 4, 2010

Janice Spieker has been on a combination of chemo and radiation treatments for two weeks and is tolerating it well, so far. Doctors were able to reduce the swelling around the tumor, so her dizziness has lessened. She will have a month of this daily treatment, then have no treatment for a certain time, then be tested to see how it has worked, and go from there. Janice is in good spirits, and greatly appreciates all your prayers, cards, and support that have been very encouraging. Please continue your prayers for her complete healing.

UPDATED February 16, 2010

Janice has been at home and feeling quite well. The oral steroids are doing a good job of managing the swelling in the brain and headaches and other symptoms.

The family is overwhelmed with the outpouring of cards, calls, visits, food, and most importantly, prayers on her behalf. Our deepest thanks go out to all for the support given us, it truly is a help. 

Janice says they feel comfortable with the direction they are taking for treatment and has a positive attitude overall. This Wednesday, Feb. 17th is when they will start to travel to Watertown for daily radiation treatments along with taking oral chemotherapy daily. That will continue for 5-6 weeks, after which treatment will be re-evaluated and a new MRI taken.

The entire immediate family (Sandra, Sue, John, Dave and Ann) from FL, CO, SD and NE have been home and it was a wonderful few days together. Harlan and Janice will have continuous help from all the children and their spouses as needed.

Please continue to pray for God's miraculous healing and intervention and  guidance in the treatment process. Janice says "the common phrase, 'It is in God's hands' is definitely real and not just a religious saying". 

     42220 194th St.
     Willow Lake, SD  57278

Harlan Spieker is an elder in the United Church of God.

February 5, 2010

We were able to go in to see Mom in recovery after her biopsy Thursday night.  The surgeon spoke with us and said surgery went very well and just as expected.   But they still feel it is the glioma that they suspected all along, before the biopsy.  They took a small sample of tissue and did an analysis on it during the surgery, and it shows that it is glioma. However, they will continue to do more extensive testing over 2 days and won't be able to officially confirm that until then.  Mom was in the ICU overnight is now in a regular room.  Dad was in the ICU with her and we kids were in and out.  She went from feeling very nauseous to being giddy as anesthesia wore off.  

Things are going well Friday morning. The Dr. already visited mom and dad and has given us an OK to go home. Mom prefers to stay overnight one more night, in a regular room, and then we will be discharged for home tomorrow (Sat.) morning. The medical supply store in Watertown is already delivering supplies needed to their home.  And oncology appointments have been set up for a Tuesday consultation in Watertown.  Mom has chosen to start radiation/chemo treatments with the option of always saying "stop" if she wants to. So by the end of next week, we will be starting treatments 5 days a week in Watertown.  Oral steroids are the only medication needed.  It keeps the swelling in the brain down, which reduces her headaches and other symptoms.  Mom is feeling and looking very good this morning and looking forward to being at home. :-)

Thank you everyone for keeping Mom in your prayers.

For those who like to send a card or note of encouragement, the Spieker's address is

     42220 194th St.
     Willow Lake, SD  57278

- Ann (Spieker) Murphy 

February 4, 2010

   Mrs. Janice Spieker, wife of UCG elder Harlan Spieker, was taken to Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD on Tuesday afternoon, February 2, where she was diagnosed with brain cancer. The tumor is at the back in the right lower area, and is the cause of the dizziness and numbness she has been experiencing. The doctor was direct. The team all agreed that it is inoperable because of its location, and that it is a very aggressive, fast-growing cancer—probably growing for no more than three months. They gave her a prognosis of only six to twelve weeks to live without treatment, with the possibility of six weeks up to ten or eleven months with treatment, and called it “very dire.” They have given Janice meds to bring down the swelling around the tumor, which should alleviate her dizziness. They will continue to observe and examine.

    Janice is lucid, alert, and focused. She and her husband Harlan are talking it over realistically and are considering possible options with the doctors, including whether chemo-therapy is a viable possibility. She said that if it is God’s will that this is her time to die, then she will accept it. But she desires all of our prayers that God will have mercy and heal her completely.

    Janice and the surgeon discussed the possibilities and the best-case scenario—that the tumor be found to be benign, or even missing! We know of cases where that exact thing has happened. So the Spieker family and all of us are hoping for that same miracle—the mysterious and complete disappearance of the disease. But if not, we pray for strength and faith that God will heal in the best way and time. 

    Most of the family (within 300 miles) are with her in the hospital and her other daughters are arriving Thursday. This has been a horrible shock to all of them, so please ask for God’s strength and support for each of the family members as well as for Janice’s healing of this evil disease.

     Mitch and Linda Knapp visited Janice on Wednesday evening.  Janice is in good spirits, and enjoyed visiting with family members and a few friends today. It was a much better day than Tuesday. The big concern at this point is that a biopsy will be performed midday Thursday. This is necessary to confirm that the tumor is cancerous, but is considered to have a degree, (possibly high) of risk, due to the delicateness of the operation and the precise measuring required. 

    Waiting to find out is stressful, so we are very thankful this can be done right away, with results known by Monday.  Please pray for Janice in this surgery Thursday—first for her safety and a successful procedure. Then for healing—whether immediately, sooner, or later, with God’s divine guidance and wisdom, in his best way and time. And, we hope and pray, sooner!

    Be sure to remember the whole family in your prayers.

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