Janice M.

Cromwell

Aurora — Janice M. Cromwell, 90, of Aurora, formerly of O'Neill, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023 at Westfield Quality Care in Aurora.

Private graveside services will be held at a later date in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the family for future designation.

Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home in Grand Island is in charge of the arrangements.

Janice was born Dec. 21, 1932 to Carl and Anna (Christensen) Grosse in Orchard. 

She married Delbert Hilkemeier and lived in various places while he served in the United States Air Force. To this union they had two boys Tom and Al. 

After Delbert's retirement in 1970 the couple made their home in O'Neill. Delbert passed away in 1985. 

Janice worked as an activities director at Avera St. Anthony's Hospital in O'Neill until her retirement in 1998. 

In May of 1998 she married Gene Cromwell and moved to Lincoln. 

After Gene's passing in 2015, Janice moved to Fremont to be closer to her brothers where she lived for five years before moving to Kearney. She lived in Kearney for two years before making her final move to Aurora Westfield Quality Care. 

She was a member of the Christ Lutheran Ladies Aid. 

She enjoyed cleaning, crafting, baking and going for walks. She walked so often that she was known as “The Traveler” by the staff at Westfield Quality Care. Janice's most favorite thing was the holidays. She enjoyed decorating and had décor for every holiday. 

Janice is survived by her two sons Tom (Donna 'Murphy') Hilkemeier of Broken Bow and Al (Bev 'Swanson') Hilkemeier of Grand Island; three stepchildren Larry (Dee) Cromwell, Sandy (Mike) Anderson and Steve Cromwell; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; one brother Ken (Rita 'Boyle') Grosse of Fremont; and two sisters-in-laws LaDonna Grosse of Fremont and Delores Tharnish of Lincoln.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Delbert Hilkemeier and Gene Cromwell; one brother Walt Grosse; one nephew Donald Grosse; and three nieces Mary Ann, Katherin and Annette Grosse.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.livson.com.