Janyce "Jan" Marie Dols (nee Arel)

Janyce (Jan) Marie Dols age 78 of Fridley, MN passed on September 5, 2023. Jan was born on April 4, 1945 in Crookston, MN. Jan grew up in a close-knit family who ran the Arel Family Grocery store. She attended St. Joseph’s Academy through High School. After graduating, Jan moved from Crookston to the Twin Cities and started working at Sears Department Store in Minneapolis. Jan and Dick met in the Twin Cities and were married in 1974 at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Blaine. They settled into their family home in Fridley in 1979, where she lived until her recent medical diagnoses resulted in stays at Unity Hospital and Saint Therese at Saint Odilia Hospice Residence in Shoreview, where she received outstanding care from committed medical professionals.

After being home with her two boys when they were young, she found another passion in being a bank teller with US Federal Credit Union (became Firefly, now TruStone) for 20 years prior to her retirement in 2008, where she enjoyed seeing her customers on a weekly basis. She rarely missed being at an activity for her boys and was known to stay up late with them so they could get their homework done each evening. Jan was an active member and volunteer with St. Timothy’s and the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. After retirement, she found enjoyment in spending time with family and friends, reading books, watching movies, and visiting nearby Casinos. She was a committed sports fan throughout her life, particularly the Minnesota Vikings and Twins.

Jan was also an avid traveler over her lifetime. She started traveling with her family growing up, her sisters in the US and Europe, her husband, and then with her boys; she enjoyed seeing different parts of the country and the world. She stayed in hotels in big cities, timeshare vacations, camped in their RV, and cruises. In total, she visited 48 of the 50 States along with 21 Countries.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Eva (nee Surprenant) Arel; her daughter, baby Nancy; as well as her sisters, Madonna Arel and Karen Arel.  She is survived by her husband, Richard (Dick); sons, Brian of Chicago, Illinois and Jason (Juliette) of Wichita, KS; three grandchildren, Isaac, Evelyn (Eva) and Henry; five siblings, Kathy (Greg) Piche, Annette (Keith) Strack, Ron (Donna) Arel, Rosemary (Jack) Tucker, and Gerald (Carol) Arel; many nephews and nieces.

Visitation 5 to 8pm Friday, September 15, 2023 with a vigil prayer service at 7pm at Miller Funeral Home, 6210 Highway 65 NE, Fridley (763-571-1300).  Mass of Christian Burial Saturday, September 16 at 11am, with visitation beginning at 10am at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church, 707 - 89th Ave NE, Blaine. Private Interment at Morningside Memorial Gardens, Coon Rapids.  In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Timothy's Church Securing Our Future Fund.