St George, UT – Janice Lee Otterson, 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loved ones on April 13, 2024. She was born on November 17, 1934, in Memphis, TN. At the age of 2, she was adopted by Julius and Lucille Hill and moved to the Bronx in New York City, NY. She married Paul Wayne Otterson on November 4, 1955, in Burbank, CA. They were later sealed on December 6, 1964, in the Los Angeles Temple.

Janice grew up in the Bronx with her biological father, Julius and her stepmother, Lucille, until the age of 13, when both parents passed away unexpectedly within a day of each other. She was then sent to live with her stepmother's sister in Connecticut until the age of 18, when they moved to California. At 19, she moved out alone while working at Kress general store, where she met the love of her life, Paul. They were married later that year. They had 5 children together (P. Brian, Bruce, Jon, Eric, and Christopher) along with Paul's two daughters (Karen and Barbara) from his first marriage. She began working at GTE in Palm Springs, CA as a telephone representative, where she later retired after 33 years of service. In 1993, Jan and Paul moved to Springville, UT to enjoy their retirement. After Paul's passing in 1997, Jan sold her home and lived abroad in Belgium for six months with her son Chris and his family before returning to Springville to live with her son Eric and his family in 1998. She remained there until 2002 when she moved with Eric and family to Saint George, UT

Jan was a gifted artist and enjoyed drawing, sculpting, needlepoint, and various other forms of art. She loved reading, doing puzzles and making an assortment of arts and crafts. Jan had a sweet-tooth and loved everything dark chocolate and Cinnamon; especially Cinnabon rolls! Most of all, she loved being a mother to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Jan was a kind, quiet, tender-hearted human being. She was non-judgmental and accepting of everyone. She survived incomprehensible hardships in her childhood and various medical conditions that caused her pain throughout her life. Yet despite her circumstances, she never let her struggles and pain diminish her eternal smile and optimism. She profoundly influenced the lives of her family and friends, teaching them about unconditional love and to appreciate every day as a blessing.

She is survived by her children: P. Brian Otterson, Bruce Otterson, Jon (Donna) Otterson, Eric (Kristine) Otterson, Christopher (Rebecca) Otterson; 30 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Foremaster Chapel 912 South 1740 East, St. George, Utah. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the same location. Interment will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lehi Cemetery 385 East Cedar Hollow Road, Lehi, Utah.

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