Janice Altenhofen

Janice Marie was born to John J. and Adelia B. Miller on September 16, 1937. She was the much doted-on youngest of their eight children, John, Rose Marie, Dorothy, Frances, Jim, Shirley and Tom.

Janice attended St. John the Baptist Grade School, St. Mary’s Academy (Class of ’55) and the University of Portland. She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother and friend. As a youngster and teenager, Janice owned, rode and loved horses, especially her Trinket and Bingen. She treasured her time as the 1956 St. Paul Rodeo Queen and considered her time with the rodeo to be absolutely “FABULOUS”! She was thrilled to lead the St. Paul Rodeo’s 90th anniversary parade as the oldest living rodeo queen on July 4, 2026!

Janice married Robert J. Altenhofen in 1959. Janice often quipped that she “traded her horse for a husband” and that she “chased Bob until he caught her”. Together they welcomed and raised four children: Adele (Sr. Adele Marie), Frank, Doré and MaryAnn. Janice noted that her children were the most precious and prized possessions in her life and she adored the numerous hours caring for them and cheering them on at athletic contests and state tournaments. She was a caring, creative, fun-loving, upbeat, hardworking, dedicated, faith-filled legend.

Janice was a prolific artist, particularly talented in the fine art of china painting – or painting on porcelain. Janice learned this art from her mother and actually surpassed her as a teacher. A much-revered china painting instructor for over 60 years, Janice’s classes were full and even had waiting lists. She would sometimes remark that someone had to die in order to create a vacancy in one of her classes. Her students found her to be warm, engaging, interested, supportive and fun, and many credit the camaraderie of these classes as a God-send when life threw lemons their way. Besides china painting, Janice was also gifted in other forms of art – candle- and card-making, acrylics, decoupage, macrame and more.

Besides being an outstanding artist, Janice was also a wonderful cook. She had a knack in the kitchen and was a wizard at deciphering which spices might have been used in restaurant dishes so she could replicate the recipe in her own home. And, once, when asked if she had any collections over the span of lifetime, she retorted, “Kitchen gadgets, of course!” If ever there were a new appliance, tool, utensil or product on the market, one could rest assured that Janice would find a place for it in her very full kitchen or pantry cupboards.

Janice faced life with directness and joy. She was not one to mince words, but she was also very generous with genuine compliments as she believed it was her special mission to spread joy – in a grocery line, at the dental office, on an elevator or just passing someone on the street. She was also courageous and resilient, facing challenges with grace and

her deep-seated Catholic faith. She was a champion as she accompanied her husband, Bob, and daughter, Doré, through their battles with cancer.

“What happens to me, happens for me,” was a motto she shared and lived to the fullest. In her final days, after suffering a stroke (less than 2 weeks after the rodeo parade), Janice bravely attempted to recover and threw herself into rehab at Maryville Care Facility. However, once it became evident that recuperation and returning to her home of 65 years was not “in the cards,” Janice steadied herself and set her mind to completing her earthly journey. She pushed herself to celebrate her 89th birthday with family and friends, and then settled into the task of crossing the threshold into eternal life.

Janice is survived by her children: Adele (Sr. Adele Marie, SSMO), Frank (Vickie), and MaryAnn Stewart (Bryan), 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed tremendously but her family and friends take comfort in knowing that she is now experiencing eternal life with as much gusto as she enjoyed life on earth.

A rosary followed by Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on November 7, 2026, at St. Agatha Catholic Church, 7983 SE 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97202.

Remembrances in Janice’s memory may be given to St. Agatha Catholic Church.