Janice Sorensen Reiland

Janice Esther (Sorensen) Reiland was born at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, IL on April 21, 1926, to Earl and Esther (Sebastian) Sorensen. She grew up in a loving home along with her sister, Betty (Sorensen) Welker, and carried the values of family, faith, and resilience throughout her life.

Janice graduated from Taft High School and then began a short career as a stenographer for the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway (EJE).

Janice loved to sing and dance to the sounds of big band music. It began as a family affair – as a child, her father taught her ballroom dancing and she would perform with her sister for family and friends. As a young woman during wartime, Jan would spend her Friday nights on the dance floor – a foreshadowing of the resilience she demonstrated throughout her life.

Janice met Robert John Reiland on a blind date. Bob took her dancing—and with his first few steps, he swept her off her feet. On June 18, 1949, the two were married at St. Peter’s Church in Skokie, IL. It was the beginning of a faithful partnership that would last 70 years!

Jan and Bob raised three children together—Cheryl, Beth, and Robert Jr. — and Jan fully embraced her role as a mother and homemaker. Jan created a home filled with care, intentionality, and the aroma of her fabulous home-cooked meals. Think Donna Reed—with a wooden spoon in one hand and a song in her heart. She and Bob loved making summer memories at Norman B. Barr Camp in Lake Geneva, WI. Two days before she passed, Jan was able to visit the camp and reflected on memories she held close.

Music was a constant presence in Janice’s life and in her later years she was often moved to tears by the memories that accompanied the melodies. Whether Christmas carols around the piano or hymns in the church pew, her voice carried the emotion of someone deeply attuned to life’s blessings.

In Jan’s later years, the focus of conversation was centered on family. She was a proud grandma, and an even prouder great-grandma to her 13 great-grandchildren. They were each the apple of her eye, and their hugs just might have been the greatest hugs in all the world… at least from Jan’s (Gigi’s) perspective.

Janice is survived by her daughters, Cheryl (John) Tracy and Beth (Jeff) Johnson; grandchildren, Bryan Tracy, Kimberly Tracy, Kelli Tracy, Kristine (Charles) Sims, Peter (Katherine) Johnson, and Susanne (Matthew) Dyer; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Ella, and Benjamin Sims, Luke, Erik, Karl and Emma Johnson, Haylie and Clayton Warenko, and Annie, Caroline, Kate and Jack Dyer.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert; her parents, Earl and Esther Sorensen; her son, Robert John Reiland Jr.; and her sister, Betty Welker.

Janice’s immediate family will celebrate her life with a private ceremony. Burial will be at Windridge Memorial Park, Cary.

Memorial gifts may be made in Janice’s honor to a meaningful charity of your choice.