Elizabeth Emelia (Janovsky) Golden 1925 - 2014

JANOVSKY, GOLDEN, OMASTA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/31/2014 at 19:42:57

Sioux City Journal
29 October 2014

SIOUX CITY | Elizabeth Emelia (Janovsky) Golden, 89, of Sioux City passed away peacefully amongst her family on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rev. Daniel Rupp and Rev. James Bruch will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with a rosary at 4 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m., all at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Beth was born on Oct. 4, 1925, in East Chicago, Ind., to Agnes (Omasta) and Stephen Janovsky. She was affectionately known as "Millie" to her parents, brothers, sister, nieces, and nephews. She graduated from Washington High School and went on to attend business college. Her family moved to Ashland, Wis., and in 1946 she followed, to work at the Washburn County Courthouse. She later worked as a bank teller at Northern State Bank and volunteered as a Girl Scout leader. It was in Ashland, at the bank, that she met her future husband, Jim.

Beth and Jim were married on June 3, 1950, at St. Agnes Church in Ashland. The couple moved to Austin, Minn., in 1950, where their first two children were born. In 1952, they moved on to Stewartville, Minn., where two more children arrived into the family. Their final move was to Sioux City in 1956, where they added three more children. They remained a part of the Sioux City and Blessed Sacrament Parish communities for the remainder of their 64 years of marriage.

Beth was an avid volunteer at school and parish. She served as president of the Marian (Mercy) Health Center Auxiliary, as a volunteer docent at the Sioux City Art Museum, was on the board of Catholic Charities, served as president of St. Theresa Study Club, served as treasurer of the Sioux City Serra Club, and was president and charter member of Birthright of Siouxland. For many years, she worked to counsel and assist pregnant women in need, many times hosting a pregnant mom in the family home.

She was a great example to her family as she lived out her Catholic faith and values. The beads of her many rosaries have long been worn smooth from constant prayer.

Family was everything to Beth, and motherhood was her vocation. She taught not to waste or take anything for granted, to take all things in moderation, and not to judge unless one had walked in another's shoes. She loved to read, filled her home with books and frequent trips to the library, and always challenged her children to look it up and learn more. She was the best hugger and snuggler ever, and could be counted on for a pan of butterscotch brownies and her undivided attention no matter how big or small the perceived problem. She welcomed each new in-law as if they were her own.

Her 16 grandchildren will remember grandma for her backyard breakfasts, games of golf, Scrabble and Gin Rummy, hugs and kisses, crossword puzzles and her famous ginger snaps.

Above all, she was, and is, Jim's wife. Together they lived well their vows of love, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for 64 years. His Lizabeth was the consummate homemaker and hostess, a great golf, Gin Rummy, and travel partner.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Jim; seven children, Kathy Golden of Sioux City, James (Theresa) of Okoboji, Iowa, Mike (Mary) of Lake Oswego, Ore., Daniel (Judy) of Maplewood, Minn., Kevin (Nicole Knutsen) of Minneapolis, Keith (Chris) of St. Paul, Minn., and Mary Beth (Rene) Beacom of West Des Moines; 16 grandchildren, Erin, Ben (Naomi), Keely (Calin), Collin, Finn, Brigid, Noah, Nick, Elise (Ryan), Evan, Nathan, Maria, Derly, Ethan, Cecilia and Aaron; her first great-grandchild (in utero); a brother, Ted Janovsky of Pheonix, Ariz.; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Agnes Janovsky; her brother, Steve Janovsky; and her sister, Mary Zygmunt.

The family requests memorials be directed to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.