Janet G. “Jan” Ricard, age 86, resident of Grand Forks, ND, formerly of Crookston, MN, went to be with Jesus on Monday, October 5th, 2026.
Jan was born in Fertile, MN on October 28th, 1939, the daughter of Carl and Ragna Parr. She was baptized and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fertile, MN. She grew up in Fertile and was the youngest girl in the family and was often carried through the deep snow to school by one of her brothers on their shoulders, likely uphill both ways. She graduated High School in Fertile on May 23rd, 1957. Following her graduation, she went to work the next week at Montana Dakota Utilities where she remembered every customer’s information and took great pride in her work. On December 27th, 1958, she was united in marriage to Vern Ricard in Fertile. They made their home in Crookston. She followed Vern on the snowmobile racing circuit where Vern was very active. On one occasion, Jan entered him into EVERY event at a race in Detroit Lakes. He went on to win all seven of them. Afterwards, she told him that she knew he could do it. They started Ricard’s Sodding in 1968, where she kept the books and made sure Vern didn’t spend too much on equipment. Occasionally, Vern would ask for a check blank and Jan would give him ONE. He’d write the amount on his hand and report back at the end of the day with the amount. She was able to help run that business from her home office and always managed to be home when her kids got off the bus. Sadly, Vern passed away August 29th, 1993, after almost 35 years of marriage.
She and Vern enjoyed other hobbies together as well. They were both talented dancers and danced “as smooth as silk,” managing to win numerous dance contests. Other dancers would clear the floor to watch him lead Jan around. She was an avid bowler in her younger years, played Bridge on Monday nights and Wednesday afternoons for many years. She started playing BINGO in 1984 and never looked back. More recently, she and her daughter, Kelly, could be found Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the EGF VFW. While raising their children, she was a Den Mother and a Crookston Pirates Booster. Once her grandchildren came to be and were in school, she was dubbed the PTO Grandma at South Middle School in Grand Forks, where she could be found helping Kelly prepare meals for the teachers. She had an eye for detail and always said that presentation was everything. She loved watching her kids in all the sports they were in through the years. She was the best sports Grandma/Great-Grandma around! Whether it was watching Cole play football or baseball, watching Ross and Kolby play basketball, baseball and golf, watching Hayden and Ben play soccer, or watching Letti play hockey, she was there! While watching her grandchildren play sports, she also faithfully watched and rooted for the Minnesota Vikings.
She served many a Sunday dinner at Living Word Family Church where she also first accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was Born Again, under the teaching of Pastor Mike Keller. She was baptized as an adult on February 29th, 2004, at Living Word by Pastor Mike and her son Todd, who was in the water with her. She continued to grow her Faith in God while attending Thursday morning Bible study at Valley Christian Center, led by Pastor Chris Dawes. She loved everyone in the group.
She was an incredible cook and an even more talented baker. She was best known for her ham gravy, egg salad sandwiches, potato salad, spritz cookies, sour cream raisin bars, scotcheroos and divinity.
Jan is survived by her sons, Todd and Tim (Kristie) Ricard; daughters, Tammy Wagner and Kelly (Dale) McLeod; six grandchildren: Courtney Leatherberry, Bryton Wagner, Cole (Emily) Ricard, Whitney (Jeremy) Huot, Ross and Kolby Koerner, and step-grandson, Kyle McLeod; eight great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-laws, Bonnie Parr, Betty Parr, Audrey Ricard, Ardelle (Georg) Von Tiesenhausen and Norma Hoppe. She loved her family fiercely and prayed for them all, daily.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Vern; parents; stepfather, Alfred Burslie; brothers: Arnold, Eugene, Russell, Melvin and Kermit; sisters, Bernice and Monte. She was the last remaining member of her immediate family. Between both sides of her family, she had 58 nieces and nephews. She will be missed by so many and loved forever and will always be in our hearts. We find comfort in knowing that she is rejoicing in Heaven with her Savior and has been reunited with so many.
Special thanks to those who cared for her near the end of her life: Dr. Ike Onyeka, Dr. Tola Haastrup, Dr. Kirsten Peterson, Dr. Abdul Hannan, NP Kayla Clausen, and all the nurses and staff that kept her going. To the paramedics, police, and firefighters that came to the house the night she passed and brought her back to us so we could say one last goodbye. Finally to Dr. Boe in the ER and ALL of the nurses that were involved in that precious Gift from God, our heartfelt THANK YOU!
Services will be Thursday, October 22nd, at Living Word Family Church, 5200 Gateway Drive, Grand Forks. Visitation with the family will be at 9:30 am with the Celebration of Jan’s Life at 10:30 am. Lunch will be served, as she had planned, after the service at the church.
