Janice Irene (Duellman) Maroushek of Sun City, Arizona, formerly of Winona and Apple Valley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on May 18, 2026, with her family by her side.

Jan was born to Evelyn (Drazkowski) Duellman and Alphonse Duellman on February 19, 1941, in Winona, Minnesota. She grew up in Winona and spent significant time on her mother’s family farm near Bluff Siding, Wisconsin. She was a 1959 graduate of Winona Cotter High School.

On April 23, 1960, she married Benjamin Maroushek Jr., in Winona. Together they built a home full of life and love while raising their four children. They first lived in Winona, then in Rushford and Stewartville, before returning to Winona in 1974. In 2001, they moved to Apple Valley, Minnesota, and in 2014 made Sun City, Arizona, their full-time home.

Jan and Ben welcomed everyone into their home, whether for a moment or for a lifetime. Their refrigerator and pantry were always open. Their motto was simple: “If you need something to eat, help yourself.”

Jan was a full-time homemaker until 1973, when she attended Rochester Beauty College and earned her cosmetology license. She went on to own and operate Shear Design in Winona for many years. During that time, she also served her community as an election judge.

After she “retired” and moved on from her salon, she continued working as an onsite cosmetologist at Sauer Healthcare for several years. After moving to Apple Valley, she also enjoyed part-time work in customer service at Burnsville Center.

Alongside her career and devotion to family, Jan gave generously of her time to many causes. She was a lifelong member of the Eagles Club Aerie #1243, where she served as secretary for 20 years. She was a fierce advocate for people with developmental disabilities, heavily involved with ARC, serving as a board member for the Southern Minnesota chapter, and through her support for Home & Community Options.

She also spent many years advocating for Spinal Cord Injury and paralysis curative therapies and supported many other people and worthy causes through her time, energy, and steady willingness to help wherever she was needed.

She lived large. She was fearless, courageous, generous, curious, and endlessly funny. Stories of the comical things that always seemed to happen only to her are legendary, especially when they included her unique sayings and often quirky vocabulary.

To Jan, no one was a stranger, just a friend she had not met yet. She treated everyone the same; it never mattered who they were or where they came from. She loved many people generously and without keeping score.

No stranger to tragedy, she mastered the art of moving forward with calm resolve and humor. She did not panic. She waited, figured out a path forward, and carried on. She always had a can-do attitude and told everyone whoever uttered the phrase, “I don’t know how” that “You are not going to learn any younger,” leaving no room for excuses.

Janice is survived by her husband, Benjamin, of Sun City, AZ; her daughters: Theresa (Clay) Biggerstaff and Susan (Colin) Maus all of Sun City, AZ; and her son, Timothy (Mari) Maroushek of Star Prairie, WI. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Zachary Maroushek of New Richmond, WI; Lauren (Kyle) Motl and Megan (Adnan Syed) Maus of Seattle, WA; Harrison Maroushek (Briana Lampman) of New Richmond, WI; Christopher Biggerstaff of Colorado Springs, CO; Jackson Maroushek of Brookings, SD; and Macklin Maroushek of Eden Prairie, MN; brothers: James (Joni) Kozlowski, Roseville, MN; Kenneth (Connie) Duellman, Circle Pines, MN; William (Lois) Kozlowski and Joseph Kozlowski, Winona; and sister, Marie Schueler, also of Winona; a dister-in-law, Sharon Maroushek, Henderson, NV; plus, a vast number of cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Mathew Maroushek; brothers: Robert (Darlene) Duellman and Jack (Evelyn) Duellman; in laws: Eugene Maroushek, Mary Lou (Robert) Haedtke, Shirley (Theodore) Gierok, and Roger Maroushek.

Special thanks to Stacy Charlton and the staff of Hospice of the Valley, Sun City, AZ who helped make Jan’s last months comfortable.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 1, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1303 W. Broadway, Winona. Fr. Russell Scepaniak will officiate.

Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Visitation will be held in the Commons of St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Monday, June 1, 2026, from 9:30 AM until the time of the Mass.

Following the burial a luncheon will be held in Marian Hall of St. Mary’s Church at 12:30 PM.

Pallbearers will be: Zach, Harris, Jack, and Mack Maroushek; Lauren Motl, Megan Maus, and Chris Biggerstaff.

Memorials are preferred to Home and Community Options, Winona, the donor’s choice, or the family welcomes acts of kindness in Jan’s memory.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Jan’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.