Janice Dee Joylyn (Steinert) Mai, 76 of Russell died Saturday, June 21, 2008 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.  Janice was born May 9, 1932 in rural Galatia, KS, the daughter of Harold Hugo and Ophelia Alberta (Michaelis) Steinert.  She grew up in the Galatia area and attended country schools.  She graduated from Russell High School in 1950.  Janice was diagnosis with diabetes at the age of 21 and has battled the disease her whole life.

She was united in marriage to Earlin A. Mai on June 1, 1952 at Trinity Bender Hill Church.  This union was blessed with two children, Monty and MeloDee.

Before her marriage she worked at the phone company in Great Bend as a phone operator.  After her marriage she was a devoted wife and homemaker for her family.

She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church as a child, the Trinity Bender Hill Church as an adult until the church closed and she became a member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  She was active in the Ladies Aid and the church choir at Trinity Bender Hill.

Janice was a 4-H leader when her children were active in 4-H.  She enjoyed sewing, cooking, trying out new recipes, doing crafts and attending craft shows, collecting angels, doing jigsaw puzzles and word search puzzles.  Early in life she loved polka dancing and later in life she loved attending 4-H pig shows that her grandchildren were in all over the state.

Her surviving family include her husband of 56 years, Earlin of the home; son Monty Mai and wife Tiffinie of Russell; daughter MeloDee Homeier and husband Gordon of Ellsworth, KS; three grandchildren, Taylor Herbel, Lane Mai and Braden Mai; and three step-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Celebration of Janice’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell with Pastor Robert Kreier officiating.  Burial will follow at Trinity Bender Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from Noon to 8 PM Monday, June 23, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 8 PM.  A memorial has been established with the American Diabetes Association or the Trinity Bender Hill Cemetery Fund.  Contributions and condolences may be left with Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary who are in charge of these arrangements.