Janice Blankenship Peterson

Janice Blankenship Peterson, 61 of LaPlata gained her Angel wings on Saturday, December 26, 2020 after a hard fought battle with Covid.

The daughter of James Albert and Phyllis Marie (McKee) Blankenship, she was born July 3, 1959 in Brookfield, Missouri. On May 29, 1999 in Kirksville she was united in marriage to Kendall Peterson.

Janice is survived by her husband, Kendall; her mother, Phyllis Blankenship-Foster of Macon, MO; three daughters, Jennifer & Trinity Wiles of Eureka, IL, Kim & Eric Manning of Eureka, IL, and Jackie & Justin Cornell of Columbia, MO; two step daughters, Kristin & James Bredeman of Hawaii and Niki Calcagni of Canada; two brothers, David & Patty Blankenship of Galena, MO and Tom & Shelly Blankenship of Heath, OH; two sisters, Sharon & Kent Ford of Columbia, MO and Debra & David Allen of Lake Ozark, MO; 12 grandchildren, Maddison, Derrick, Dillon & Devon Wiles, Alexis & Camron Manning, Kaylee & Ean Cornell, Emma, Olivia & Kendrick Bredeman, and Carter Calcagni; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, James; step father, Don Foster; grandparents, Mabel & Shannon McKee, Myrtle & James Blankenship; and a son-in-law, Matt Calcagni.

Jan graduated from Kirksville High School in 1978. She was a very active member of the First Baptist Church in LaPlata. She loved spending her time in the children’s ministries where she led the AWANA’S program and directed Vacation Bible School for many years.She loved giving back and took 2 mission trips to El Salvador with her church. She was employed by American Family Insurance where she worked for almost 20 years and Wal-Mart where she had worked for 8 years.

Jan loved spending time with her girls and grandkids. They were her pride and joy. She always made time for her grandkids activities. She attended at least one game or event for each season, rather it was basketball, football, wrestling (or as she called it rasslin’), soccer, cheer or band. They always knew she was in the crowd, because she was one of loudest cheering them on. She was their biggest fan. She also loved animals, especially her dogs. They were like children to her. She liked to dabble in gardening and loved going to garage sales with her mom or girls. She enjoyed going to events with her momma and looked forward to their Sunday lunch dates. Her outgoing personality and love for all people drew others to her. If someone needed more love she adopted them into her family. She is lovingly called momma Jan or Ms. Jan by many. Most people agree that she gave the best hugs.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm. Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial will be in Park View Memorial Gardens.

Memorials in memory of Janice are suggested to First Baptist Church, LaPlata AWANA Ministry.

Due to Covid masks will be required at the visitation and service. The service will be live streamed on the funeral home facebook page.