Janice Athella Skousen

Janice Athella Conger Skousen peacefully passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 in Overton, Nevada, just two days before her 89th birthday. She was born September 14, 1935 in Cedar City, Utah to William Lewis and Ida Leona Lee Conger. On May 31, 1957 Janice married Lester (Larry) Platte Skousen in the St. George LDS Temple. He preceded her in death on September 24, 2013. 

Janice spent her first couple years of life in Las Vegas, and then moved to Panaca, Nevada where she and her brother Lane, were raised by their parents. She was a confident, outgoing girl, and considered herself very lucky to have the childhood she had. As a teenager, Janice honed her skills of ice skating, baton twirling, and cheerleading, and was crowned Rodeo Queen without ever riding a horse!

During her young adult years, she held various jobs including secretary for the District Attorney, a runner for Geneva Steel and a house cleaner. While at BYU in Provo, Utah, Janice met and married Larry Skousen. They moved to Las Vegas and it was there that they raised their four children.

Janice was a devoted wife and mother and absolutely cherished being a grandma! Her grandchildren loved her dearly and appreciated her quick wit, funny sense of humor, heartfelt talks and endless supply of candy, shrimp and Grandma Sycamore’s toast! Janice served in many church callings and in various capacities all her life. She ministered to those who needed her, whether she knew them or not. A dying woman, who barely knew Janice, asked her to take in her son when she passed away. Janice did not hesitate and welcomed him into her home and cared for this young man for several years. Janice visited and comforted shut-ins who became dear friends and she provided refuge for weary, traveling mothers who needed a place to stay while their children were hospitalized in Las Vegas. In her elderly years, she found joy in crocheting hats and lovingly giving them away.

Janice constantly bettered herself by learning various skills. She learned to sew, arrange flowers, refinish and upholster furniture, decorate cakes, cook Chinese cuisine, computer skills, snow ski (in her late 50’s!) and whatever else she set her mind to. Janice was smart and business savvy.  She and her best friend Pauline, combined their talents and created Magical Memories, a successful wedding catering and decorating business.

Even with a very limited ability to speak the Spanish language, Janice enthusiastically accompanied her husband Larry, on three Spanish speaking missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She learned the Spanish necessary to serve in the Peru and Bolivia temples and was able to teach leadership and self-reliance skills to the people of Mexico.  They also served another mission in the United States. Janice enjoyed reading and compiling/writing family histories. She will be remembered for her commitment to her family, her commitment to temple work and her commitment to following Jesus Christ by genuinely loving and serving others freely. 

Janice is survived by two daughters; Lorri (Jared) Rust of Overton, NV; Kellee (Tom) Horito of Las Vegas, NV; eighteen grandchildren and thirty-one great grandchildren and one son in law Mark (Jann) Arenaz of Idaho Falls, ID. She is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; daughter, Tonya Arenaz; son, Brett; grandchildren, Brighton Weeda and Audrey Rust, and brother, Lane Conger.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Panaca Chapel, 1065 Main Street, Panaca, Nevada. Visitation will be from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m. prior to services at the chapel. Interment will follow in the Panaca Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.moapavalleymortuary.com.

The family expresses heartfelt thanks for the care and love their mother received from Mesa View Hospice.  We feel very blessed to have had the caliber of nurses and aides that helped all of us so much.