Janice Zimprich

Janice E. Zimprich, age 83, also known as Mrs. Dean Curtiss, passed away on Sunday, March 28, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN, shortly after midnight surrounded by her loving family.             Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Faribault with the Rev. Kevin Finnegan, pastor officiating. Interment will be held at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home in Faribault on Tuesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to services.             Janice Elizabeth Lonien, the daughter of John "Jack" and Mary Ann "Mae" (Finnegan) Lonien, was born on April 20, 1926 in Faribault, MN. Jan attended Bethlehem Academy High School and graduated with the class of 1944. Following her graduation from B.A., she moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the Department of the Navy during World War II. On December 28, 1950 she was united in marriage to Bernard Andrew Zimprich at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Faribault. Her husband was the longtime voice of KDHL Radio, known by his radio name - Dean Curtiss - and she was a strong supporter of his volunteer work, including serving in leadership positions with a variety of organizations. Jan and Dean led tours and traveled extensively, including visits to Africa, Australia, and South America. She also accompanied him on several visits to the White House, including during both the Nixon and Carter administrations. Mr. Zimprich preceded her in death on January 5, 1986.             Jan also gave generously of her time, and was an active volunteer for many years in the Faribault community, including leading countless fundraisers at both Immaculate Conception and Bethlehem Academy. She was a member of the District One Hospital Auxiliary, the American Legion Post 43 Auxiliary, the American Red Cross, the Daughters of Isabella and was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels. She was a kind and loving grandmother and great grandmother and loved spending time with all of her family. She brought many smiles to others with her sense of humor. Jan was a devoted Christian and was a caregiver to many, be it running errands for them or bringing them a home cooked meal, she took great pleasure in helping others.             She is survived by four children, Gretchen Curtiss of Faribault, Deborah Brennan of Rochester, MN, David Zimprich of Rochester, MN and Gregory (Ann) Zimprich of Chaska, MN; by eight grandchildren, Elizabeth and Anna Fritz, Allison, Ashley and Sarah Brennan and Christian, Keegan and Cullen Zimprich; by her great grandson, Jobe Fritz and by nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.             She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother, Phillip Lonien, her sister, Marilyn Geary and by her son in law, Michael Brennan.