Sister Janice Walden Passes

Our dear ward sister, Janice Walden, passed away earlier this week at the age of 87.  She lived a wonderful life, raising a large family and spending her life serving others.  

Janice Leavitt Walden 

Born 20 December 1937 

Died 18 November 2025 at age 87

OBITUARY

Janice Leavitt Walden passed away peacefully in her home on November 18, 2025. Her sweet disposition and quiet, steady presence will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by her children and grandchildren. Janice could be described as introverted and shy. She didn’t seek personal attention and instead loved to be surrounded and entertained by her family. She laughed easily. Before she passed, she was looking forward to seeing many family members and friends waiting for her on the other side.

Janice was born December 20, 1937, in Mesquite, Nevada, where she happily played in the desert with her twin sister, Joyce; older sister, Viola; older brother, Leo; and her younger brother, Ike. Life in Mesquite also included beloved grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who she grew up with. She maintained a fierce love of her youth and the people in it and reminisced about those precious memories throughout her life.

After High School graduation, Janice worked to earn money for college and then attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. It was there that she met her future husband, John Foster Walden. They were married in the St. George Temple in November of 1960, then moved to Colorado and began their new family.

Janice eventually gave birth to eleven children, ten of whom survived to adulthood. Although Janice didn’t finish pursuing a formal degree, she taught herself how to play the piano, was an excellent seamstress, and had a flair for design which she used to bless her family. The fruits of these talents could be seen in clothes she made, dolls and accessories that she designed, curtains, and other decorations that made her surroundings beautiful. 

She and John chose to have a large family, and though they didn’t have a lot of material wealth, they lived within their means, and she still managed to make lovely things for her home. She loved music and passed that love on to many of her children and grandchildren.

Janice had an incredible work ethic and worked tirelessly over the years to provide meals and a warm, clean home for her family. She could many times be found humming while she worked. With a husband and ten children she was often exhausted, at times taken for granted, and usually overworked, but rarely ever complained.

Janice had an unwavering faith in God and Jesus Christ and was diligent and faithful in her religious worship and participation. She believed in and experienced miracles and took them in stride. Because of her beliefs about the eternal nature of her family, she radiated a peaceful, loving acceptance to her husband, her children and grandchildren, and their friends. Her thoughts and efforts were wholly committed to serving her family as best she could. 

Janice handled the tragedies, heartbreaks, and difficulties of life with grace and patience. She was usually there for her family during difficult times offering service.

Janice is preceded in death by her husband, John; son, Samuel; son, Jonathan; parents, Royal and Rosa; sisters, Joyce and Viola; brother, Leo; and grandson, Isaac. She is survived by her children, Anne (Dave) Green, Rosalie Sager, Lynette (Mike) Chatwin, Michael (Jennefer) Walden, Jennifer Walden, Sara (Brian) Holt, Teresa (William) Nelson, Maria (Clarence) Olson, William (Sachika) Walden, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Janice is remembered and loved by all who knew her. Her life serves as an example of service, dedication, and true Christlike discipleship.

Janice is remembered and loved by all who knew her. Her life is an example of service, dedication, and true Christlike discipleship.