Janice Pickard – Dell Rapids

Janice Pickard, 75, of Dell Rapids, formerly Brookings, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 25, at Bible Baptist Church in Brookings at 11 a.m. A time of fellowship will immediately follow the service. Burial will be held at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the Colman Cemetery in Colman, SD. Visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral services, beginning at 10 a.m. at Bible Baptist Church. Eidsness Funeral Home is assisting the Pickard family with arrangements.
Janice Pickard was born on Aug. 21, 1948, to Howard Ed and Virginia (Lockwood) Hoyt in Haverhill, MA. Janice spent her youth on the east coast, graduating from Newmarket High School in Newmarket, NH. Following her graduation, she attended one year of college, majoring in elementary education before returning home to help care for her two younger sisters. It was during this time that Janice became involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship, a cause that became very important in her life.
In the early 1970s, Janice moved to South Dakota while traveling with CEF, soon meeting her husband Clifford Cliff Pickard. The couple was united in marriage on June 6, 1975, moving on to the Pickard family farm north of Brookings. The couple also lived in Arlington (SD), Florida, New Hampshire, and returned to South Dakota in 1992, where they remained until their passing.
Throughout her life, Janice was involved in her local church. She was a member of Bible Baptist Church in Brookings and looked forward to the Prime-Timers senior brunch fellowship time at the church. After moving to Dell Rapids, she spent time at River Community Church where she received exceptional support and fellowship from the church community and Pastor Andy Wright.
Janice held many interests in life, including a love for cows, Sodoku puzzles, games, reading, and baking. Janice truly loved children. She enjoyed serving in childrens ministries at church and working in numerous daycares. She also enjoyed working at the SDSU student union where she loved watching the students grow and go on to their new lives after graduation. She was a devoted wife and mother, and an especially proud grandmother.
Janice is survived by her children: Samuel (Eve) Pickard, of Dell Rapids, Paul Pickard, of Bruce, Ivan (Amy) Pickard, of Plymouth, MN, and Sarah Pickard, of Miami, FL; grandchildren: Misha (fiance Cameron), Miriam, Gage, Micah, Kirtianna, Cassie, and Janna; her siblings: Donald (Patty) Hoyt, Gary (Deb) Hoyt, Karen (David) Barrett, and Judy (Jay) Dumont; and Janices honorary family: Fred and Karen Burns, of Brookings, and their children: Kayla (Ethan) Helder and Nathaniel (fiance Brianna) Burns.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Cliff; her mom and dad Howard Ed and Virginia Hoyt; and several extended family members.