Obituary of Janice DuSchane Smith

Janice DuSchane Smith passed away peacefully on February 19, 2022. She was born August 20, 1936 and lived a full and accomplished life to the age of 85. Janice attended West High School in Minneapolis and graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics. After raising her children to self-sufficiency, Janice worked professionally as a counsellor at the Saint Paul Mayor’s Housing Information Office (HIO) for over 20 years. The HIO was the first of its kind in the nation and assisted in helping residents find or retain their housing. She was also active politically including being on the planning team for the 1976 Republican National Convention in Minnesota. After retiring from the HIO, Janice continued to pursue her passion for housing by owning and managing rental property. She also enjoyed gardening, caring for her grandchildren and travel, including the Northeast U.S., Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Janice's legacy includes her 5 children: Elizabeth (Mark) Prokosch, Leslie (Vince Bradford), Lora Lee Patterson, Greg (Sarah Gluek) and Lisa (Kevin) Hertle; her 10 grandchildren: Megan Prokosch; Robby Smith; Dontay and Blake Caraway and Tanisha Patterson; Grant, Sydney and Cole Smith; Oscar and Maddie Hertle; and great grandchildren. Janice is also survived by her sister Jacqueline (Jackie) Calin, many nieces and nephews and her former husband, Robert L. Smith lll. Janice was predeceased in death by her parents Vaughan and Bonnie DuSchane and siblings Donald, Vaughan Jr., Lois Nelsen and Jerry. A celebration of life will be held Sunday February 27, 2022 from 4-7 pm at the Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and housing or homeless charities. A celebration of life will be held Sunday February 27, 2022 from 4-7 pm at the Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN.