Wailuku, Hawai'i - Janice Barbara Arensdorf Obituary

1939 - 2023

On September 11, 2023, Janice Barbara Arensdorf, 84, peacefully passed surrounded by her children.

On August 22, 1939, Janice was born in Seattle, Washington to Alfred and Barbara Kranc. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Dr. Alfred Arensdorf, Lani-Girl, the family poi dog, and their beloved black Labrador, Hana.

She will be sorely missed and is survived by her brother Gene (Janet) Kranc; children: Patrick (Shari) Arensdorf, Maile (Alika) Atay, Erik (Renee O'Brien) Arensdorf, Kainoa (Cody Clements) Arensdorf, Keala Arensdorf, and numerous Maui foster children; grandchildren: Matthew Arensdorf, Thomas Arensdorf, Moani Tiare Atay, Matahi Kekoa Atay, Ysabel "Myka" Gurule Arensdorf; and beloved pet Shaka Boy, her Jack Russell.

Janice grew up in Seattle, the home of the famous Seattle Seahawks. She understood football well and never missed a game, even if it meant pirating the feed from YouTube. She graduated high school from Holy Names Academy and attended nursing school at Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing in Spokane, Washington. After nursing school, she flew on her first airplane flight to Honolulu to work at Queen's hospital in the emergency room, where she met the love of her life, Alfred. She continued to work until the demands of motherhood had her working as the nurse/office manager of her husband's thriving adolescent psychiatry practice in Wailuku, Maui, Hawai'i.

Janice was a member of St. Anthony Parish and a devout Catholic. She sent all of her children to Catholic schools, and she was a devoted Gonzaga basketball and Notre Dame football fan.

Janice was a fantastic mother, always making memories for her children and numerous foster children. One favorite activity in the Arensdorf home was "Buckingham Palace Nights," an evening of formal wear, fancy dishes, passing food only to the left, no swearing, and your left hand in your lap. She taught all who came after her to behave in public so as not to bring shame on the Arensdorf name. Every St. Patrick's Day she made the most delicious corned beef, complete with red potatoes, carrots, cabbage, green jello, and green beer! On weekends, the family enjoyed swimming meets, camping at Makena, and hiking in Haleakala.

She encouraged all five of her children to join a swim team to keep them physically fit and out of trouble. Although not a swimmer herself, she took pride in the fact that her children wouldn't drown, thanks to the millions of miles practicing swimming in the pools of Maui.

Tutu, Aunty Jan, Mom, Sister, Friend, you are missed and will be forever in our hearts. May you rest in eternal paradise.

Mahalo to Hospice Hale and Bayada Home Health Services.

Janice's service will be held at St. Anthony Church, Wailuku, on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Visitation will be from 9:30-10:30am, Eulogy at 10:30am, and Funeral Mass at 11:00am.