Janice Mae Van Sell

JANICE MAE (VAN ARSDALE) VAN SELL Memorial services for Cortez resident Janice Mae Van Sell will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 16 at the New Covenant Church in Cortez. Janice Mae Van Arsdale was born August 12, 1938, at St. Luke's Hospital in Denver, Colo. to Robert Lester and Etta Mae (Gilbert) Van Arsdale. She entered into rest at the family home in Cortez on Friday, September 9, 2016, after a lengthy illness. She was 78. As a young girl, Janice moved to Rifle, Colo. with her family. She attended school there and worked in the City Market meat department as a young woman. In May of 1954, Janice and her parents Robert "Bob" & Etta Mae "Mae" Van Arsdale, made a trip to Fort Ord, Calif. to see her brother, Albert William "Bill" and his wife Carolyn Fields. Bill was in basic at the time. Janice and Bob saw each other for the first time on this trip but did not meet. Bob and Bill became good friends after that and both were sent to North Carolina for Jump School. Janice sent Bill a picture of her from her sophomore year in high school. Bob took this picture from Bill and kept it for his own. Before leaving for Japan, Bob came to Rifle to see Carolyn who had come home to Rifle during a lengthy illness. Carolyn set Bob and Janice up to meet and go on their first date. Janice and Bob spent the entire 2 weeks he had before being shipped out to Japan together. Before leaving Bob gave Janice his wings. They exchanged letters every day for the year he was in Japan. They were married in Rifle at Janice's home on September 14, 1956 after Bob returned home from Beppy, Japan in July of 1956. Janice was very talented and creative. She loved to crochet, paint and make crafty things. She also loved to engrave on glass and made many beautiful things. Many have been shipped all over the United States. She loved camping with family and friends in their small camper up Rifle Creek or to Meadow Lake and later in the Dolores region. Janice also loved playing cards and games. She thoroughly enjoyed helping Bob teach their children and grandchildren. Many, many hours were enjoyed by the family around the game table. In 1972, when Union Carbide closed in Rifle, the family was transferred to Uravan, Colo. In 1974, Janice became the librarian of the Uravan Library and later worked as the Naturita librarian. She served as their librarian until the mill closed in 1986. They were then transferred to the UCC facility in Hot Springs, Ark. and then to Malvern, Ark. Janice served as librarian in Malvern for several years. She loved working with the children there and running their reading program. While living in Arkansas, Bob and Janice enjoyed many trips to the historic areas on the east coast. When Bob retired in February 1999, they returned to Naturita to be near family and lifelong friends. When Bob and Janice felt the need to be nearer to doctors and medical facilities they purchased the family home in Cortez in October 2010. In 1976, Janice was initiated into the Order of Eastern Star, Bethany Chapter #148. She served as Worthy Matron and held many offices in the Chapter. The Masonic Lodge and Eastern Star was an integral part of the Van Sell home for many years. Janice is survived by her daughters, Tandie (Byron) Morgan of Grand Junction and Bobee (Mark) Bucher of Cortez; her grandchildren, Tristan (Sterling) Clark, Toni Morgan, Taylor (Caitlin) Bucher all of Colorado Springs, Natalia (Derrik) Mills and Tyrell (Emily) Bucher of Cortez, and Sydni (Nathan) Rice of Delta; her great-grandchildren, Ethin and Morgan Brady, Parker Oswald, Byron Lambes, Raelynn Rosas, Zoey and Colton Rice, Oliver Bucher; nieces Starla (Paul) Karr and Tawnya (Matt) Gilmer; great nephews, Jeremy (Rose) Patch, Joshua (Tarrah) Patch, James Gilmer and great niece Katie (Blaine) Zulian and Savannah Gilmer, and many great-great nieces, nephews and cousins; and sister-in-law Jody Van Arsdale. Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Van Sell, parents, Robert "Bob" and Etta Mae; her brother, Albert William "Bill", and by grandsons, Anthony and Matthew. Cremation has taken place and she will be buried at Peel Cemetery in Egnar, Colo. with Bob at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Kay Ash Foundation, Women and Cancer at PO Box 799044, Dallas, TX 75379 or to San Juan Bible Camp, 14260 Rd 39.9, Mancos, CO 81328.