Ness, Janice "Jan" Marvel 80 was born in Goodhue, MN on April 11, 1936, the daughter of Lloyd and Blanche Cook. She entered Heaven's gates on December 1, 2016. Jan died peacefully at her home after a long struggle with illness. Jan attended Macalester College and Winona State University, where she graduated with honors and then started her career in teaching. On June 30, 1957, Jan married the love of her life Lyle "Dean" Ness. They started their family in Rochester, MN, where they had two children, James and Jennifer. They moved to Northfield, MN in 1972 where they resided until moving to Eagan, MN in 1997. They enjoyed spending their winters in Tucson, AZ. Jan was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother, Richard Cook (Gerta) of Portland, Oregon and her husband Lyle "Dean" Ness; son, James (Nancy) Ness of Minneapolis and daughter Jennifer (Brooks) Smith of Eagan; four grandchildren Ellen, Max, Emily and Maddie; and a number of other relatives and close friends. A visitation will be held on Monday, December 5, 2016 at Easter Lutheran Church (on the Hill), 4200 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122 at 10:00 a.m. with a service to celebrate her life at 11:00 a.m. and lunch following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to Easter Lutheran Church's Preschool Program.