Janice Louise Knight Hallows August 13, 1951 - December 11, 2025

Janice Louise Knight Hallows, age 74, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with dementia. She was at home, surrounded by the love of her family—exactly where she felt most at peace.

Janice was born on August 13, 1951, in Chico, California, to Richard Carroll Knight and Faye Marie Brown Knight. When she was young, her family moved to Corning, California, where her parents built a home filled with kindness, love, and Christian charity. Her father worked for the phone company, and her mother devoted herself to caring for their home and family. These early years shaped Janice’s lifelong values of compassion, generosity, and devotion to family. As a child, she delighted in music—often singing at the top of her lungs to her favorite records playing on her little record player.

She graduated from Corning Union High School and later attended Contra Costa Community College. Following a family tradition—many relatives also worked for the phone company—Janice moved to Oakland, California, with her sister and began working as a telephone operator.

On September 16, 1972, Janice married her sweetheart, Ivo Lynn Hallows, in her parents’ backyard in Corning. Their marriage spanned 53 years and began with a high school friendship that slowly blossomed into a deep and enduring love. They first met during their freshman year of high school—Lynn, a country boy who had attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade, and Janice, a confident “big city girl” from the small town of Corning. Lynn was immediately taken by her beauty and confidence; Janice’s memorable response to their introduction was simply, “Your name is Lynn? That’s my sister’s name.” From that beginning grew a partnership rooted in devotion and mutual respect.

Together they raised three daughters, of whom Janice was immensely proud:

Annessa Solange Hallows Bock, (married to Kurt), of San Jose, California, recently of Spanish Fork Utah

Kate Marie Rober, (married to Brian), of Mapleton, Utah

Amanda Lynn Koldewyn, (married to Kevin), of North Ogden, Utah

Janice was a devoted grandmother to nine grandchildren who brought her endless joy: Natalee Bock (26), Gehrig Bock (24), Ashlynn Rober (24), Briggs Rober (22), Tennyson Rober (19), Sawyer Koldewyn (12), Adalyn Koldewyn (10), and twins Chase and Finley Koldewyn (5).

Throughout her life, Janice made homes in many places, including Chico, Corning, Oakland, Sacramento, Red Bluff, Rancho Cordova, and Suisun City in California; Reno, Nevada; and later Spanish Fork, Utah. After retirement, she and Lynn moved to Utah to be closer to their younger grandchildren. She was always deeply proud of her family’s ancestry and of being a fifth-generation Californian.

Janice’s life was rich with creativity and joy. She loved music, playing the piano, singing, theater, reading, learning, sewing, and crafting. She was famous among her family for her cookies—especially the beloved “Nana Cookies” her grandchildren eagerly anticipated during every visit. She had a sharp sense of humor, a strong voice, and was never afraid to speak her mind. She loved shopping trips, traveling to favorite places like Mendocino and Hawaii, and she had a remarkable gift for loving not only her own children but everyone else’s as well. Children were drawn to her warmth, and she made each one feel special.

One small story captures Janice’s lifelong love of learning and the way she nurtured it in her children. When her youngest daughter, Amanda, was little, she once pretended she had been assigned a book report on the Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind—simply because she wanted to feel like her older sisters. Rather than dismissing it as childish, Janice embraced the curiosity behind it. She turned the moment into a “field trip,” taking the girls to visit the historic mining town named after Jenny Lind. Janice often answered questions with, “I don’t know—let’s look it up,” teaching her children that learning never ends and that curiosity is something to be encouraged at every age.

Her grandchildren fondly insist she made the best hot chocolate ever—despite everyone knowing it came from an instant mix. Her Nana cookies were also beloved (also from a mix). What made them unforgettable was that she made them.

Although Janice was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when she married, she embraced the gospel shortly after marrying Lynn, drawing from the strong Christian foundation laid by her parents. She attended church faithfully, so much so that many were surprised to learn she was preparing for baptism, having assumed she was already a member. Later in life, she developed a deep love for family history work, dedicating countless hours to researching and organizing her family tree.

She especially loved serving in the church nursery, where her natural ability with children was well known and deeply appreciated. Her role as a “room mom,” her willingness to chaperone every field trip, and her constant involvement in her children’s lives left lasting impressions on many families.

Janice’s personality shone through in a well-loved family story from her childhood. As the youngest of three—with an older brother, Denny, and sister, Lynn—she often followed them through the same small-town school and teachers. One year, tired of being asked whether she was “a Denny” or “a Lynn,” she reportedly replied, “I’m like nothing you’ve ever seen before, so you better look out!” Whether apocryphal or not, the story perfectly captures her spirited, feisty, and unforgettable approach to life.

She was happy to have all daughters and was known to tease boys a bit, but she loved her sons-in-law and grandsons fiercely and without reservation.

In her final years, Janice formed a special bond with her daughter’s small dog, Sunny. Sunny brought her comfort and joy, and Janice remembered her name until the very end. Sunny remained by her side, keeping vigil during her final days—a testament to the gentle love Janice inspired in all living things.

Music remained a constant presence in her life. She loved going to plays, kept music playing in her home, and especially enjoyed the Beach Boys and oldies. Even when she could no longer walk, she would dance whenever she heard a song she loved.

She is survived by her husband, Ivo Lynn Hallows, her 3 daughters, 9 grandchildren, her brother, Dennis Knight of Cottonwood, CA, and her sister, Lynn Pettus of Corning, CA.

A graveside service will be held on December 22 at 1:00 p.m. at Spanish Fork Cemetery, 420 S 400 E, Spanish Fork, Utah. All are welcome to attend and celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Janice’s memory to the Spanish Fork Library, a place that reflects her lifelong love of reading and learning. https://catalog.spanishfork.org/Donations/NewDonation

Janice Louise Knight Hallows will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew and loved her. Her legacy of love, music, faith, and family will continue to live on through generations.