Saratoga Springs, NY - Janice Rosemarie Meinhardt Jaekel, a resident of The Greens at McGregor, Saratoga Springs, New York age 78, died Thursday, June 23 at her home.

Janice, the daughter of Herbert & Ethel Meinhardt was born in Brooklyn, New York January 24, 1944. She was born again to be God's own child by the "washing of water in the Word" in Holy Baptism on March 13, 1944. Janice was instructed in the Lutheran catechism and affirmed the vows made at her baptism in the rite of confirmation May 26, 1957 at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Huntington, New York with the Reverend John A. Kavasch as officiant. Her confirmation memory verse is John 17:3 " And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."

In 1961 Janice graduated from Walt Whitman High School of South Huntington, New York. She graduated from Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont in 1964. On August 29, 1970, Janice was joined in holy matrimony to the Reverend James A. Jaekel at St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Huntington, New York. The Reverend Dr. Rudolph Ressmeyer, Bishop/President of the Atlantic District, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod officiated at the wedding ceremony. The Reverend Edward Stammel served as the homilest and The Reverend Daniel Schmalz presided at the Nuptial Eucharist.

Their marriage was blessed with two children Jennifer and Jonathan. Janice served as a faithful and effective pastor's wife teaching confirmation classes, working with church youth, serving as a Stephen Minister, caring out an effective greeting card ministry to the sick, shut in and elderly of the parish, and providing support for her husband's ministry.

Janice, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother is survived by her husband the Reverend James A, Jaekel of Saratoga Springs, daughter Jennifer (David) Scheffel of La Due Missouri, son Jonathan (Ai Chi) Jaekel, Wilton, New York, six grandchildren Ella Jane, Grace Rosemarie, Jack Arthur, Caroline Meta, Jane Catherine Scheffel and Elin Janice Jaekel, her sister Ellen (Scott) Gallager of North Falmouth, Massachusetts, her niece Kelly (Eric) Mangusi and grandnieces Julia and Clara of Sea Cliff, New York,  and her nephew Brian Gallager of North Falmouth, Massachusetts. She is also survived by her uncle, Warren Kelly of Stewart Manor, New York and many cousins.

Janice was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law William and Linda Meinhardt in 1970, her mother Ethel Meinhardt in 1994, her uncle Leonard Oehmen in 1994, her father, Herbert Meinhardt in 2003, her aunts Annette Oehmen in 2014  and Rosemarie Kelly in 2019.

Janice's family extends their profound thanks to the medical professionals and others who provided excellent care for her. We thank Dr. Susan Dorsey and the staff at Saratoga Medical Associates, Saratoga Springs, NY, Dr. Alan Frank and Dr. Lance Hellman (Deceased) and the staff of the Mollie Wilmot Radiation Oncology Center at Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Springs, NY, Dr. William O'Connor and the staff at New York Ortho, Saratoga Springs, NY, Dr. Joseph Bell and the staff at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group - General Surgery, Saratoga Springs, NY, Dr. John Delmonte and the staff at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group - Hematology/Oncology, Saratoga Springs, NY, Dr. Carlos Ares, and the staff at Saratoga Hospital Medical Group – Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, Saratoga Springs, NY. Drs. Geoffrey Paul and Gregory Pinto, Ophthalmology, Saratoga Springs, NY and Dr. Charles Rheeman, Saratoga Ophthalmology, Malta, NY. We especially thank Deborah Fitzgerald for her excellent health aide homecare and the staff of Saratoga Community Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Stephen Ministry or the Human Care Ministry (Food Bank) at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 149 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866 or the Three Church Fund of Zion Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, New York, 12308.

A memorial service will be held in late July at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, New York. At the convenience of the family, a graveside service and interment has taken place at the Greenridge Cemetery, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Arrangements are under the direction the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518-584-5373).

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com