Janice Lynn Siders (Stec) Obituary

April 11, 1955 - May 30, 2004

JANICE L. STEC, 49, passed away, on Sun., May 30, 2004, at her home following a long battle with cancer. Jan was born April 11, 1955, in Rapid City to Stanley and LaVerne Siders, the youngest of five girls. She graduated from Central High School in 1973 and from SDSU in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development. Jan began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher in Kadoka in January of 1977. She joined the Douglas School System in the fall of 1977. During her 26-year tenure in the district she taught at the elementary level and more recently served as the district's Gifted Program Coordinator. Jan's devotion to her students throughout her career was exemplary, but no more so than the past two and a half years as she continued to teach her classes while undergoing constant treatment for cancer. Jan married her high school sweetheart, Mike Stec, on May 28, 1977, in Rapid City. To this union two sons were born, Jarod and Nick. Jan was a life-long member of the First United Methodist Church of Rapid City. She sang in the Chancel Choir and served on several church committees. She was an active member of P.E.O. and a member of the State Organization of Gifted Teachers. Jan's determination to fight this disease without compromising her quality of life was an inspiration to anyone who saw her in action. Time and again she defied medical odds, leaving doctors and experts baffled. Her explanation was simple--faith and prayer. Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Mike, sons Jarod Stec and his fiance, Summer Gorder of Fort Collins, CO, and Nick Stec of Rapid City; four sisters: Shirley Mielke and her husband, Alan of Hermosa, Linda Wildberger of Rapid City, Anne Wiedrich and her husband Bob, of Rapid City, and Kathy Brando and her husband, Orville of Keystone. She was preceded in death by her parents. 

https://www.kirkfuneralhome.com/obituary/5889101