Janice Eariene Strain Waldrip

Our dearest mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, aunt and cousin, the guiding light of our family has gone home. Janice Earlene Strain Waldrip took her final breath on January 31st, the same day she married her true love, Don, 72 years ago in Chinook, Montana.

In her later years, Mom suffered from dementia, a journey that began when her sight diminished and she could no longer do the things that brought her joy – reading, baking, crosswords and jigsaw puzzles, playing the organ and driving. From that time on she was insistent on returning home and every day she packed and unpacked and repacked to leave. For us it was like the movie Ground Hog Day, day after day repeating itself, but to her each day was another step towards home.

That home was Montana and soon her loved ones will gather to say their goodbyes. Her service will be in Chinook, at the American Lutheran Church on February 14th, accompanied by a horse -drawn hearse to the graveside, where she will rest beside her beloved husband.

At 91 years old she had long been our Matriarch, and it feels as though an entire generation has now passed. We hope her stories, memories and love will live on for many generations to come. She was a God-loving woman, who honored her parents, deeply loved her husband and held her family and friends close to her heart.

A Celebration of Janice's life will be held or her birthday May 16th 2026, in Las Vegas.

Our family is deeply grateful to Nathan Adelson Hospice for their compassion, care, and guidance during this difficult time. Honoring Mom's wish to remain at home meant everything to us.

Rest easy, Mom. You are finally home. We love you and will carry you with us always.