Janice Carol Stokes Luke

Janice Carol Stokes Luke, 81 of Duluth, died Sunday, May 26^th at Essentia Health/St. Mary’s with her family by her side. Jan was born Nov. 29, 1942, in Toledo Ohio to Edmund and Theresa (Lowney) Stokes and later moved to Duluth. Jan graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School. She worked as a home health aide at Senior Friends, Lakeshore Lutheran Home and Goodwill Industries. 

She was a member of the Duluth Kennel Club, Siberian Husky Club of the Twin Cities, and a lifetime member of the Arrowhead Dog Agility Association. She volunteered many years as a dog handler for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and was a breeder of Siberian Huskies for over 20 years. Jan competed in Breed, Obedience and Agility Trials throughout the country and developed many special friendships along the way. Jan had an amazing love for dogs, especially her Mya, her last and final husky. Besides her dogs, her beloved grandchildren kept her busy over the years at all of their events. Grandma Jan was their greatest fan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund Stokes and Theresa Morozik and her brother, Robert Stokes. 

Jan is survived by her children, Loraine Luke, Linda (Mark) Lanigan, Gary (Patti) Luke and Steve Luke; grandchildren, Lexi (Joe Daly) Lanigan, Nick Lanigan, Zack Lanigan, Ava Luke, Jay (Courtney) Crilley, Steve Luke, and Scott Luke; sister-in-law, Susan Stokes, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and her BFF, Judy (Wrazidlo) Nelson. 

The family would like to thank the Essentia Hospital Care Team, the RFP Speech and Hearing Clinic at UMD, Benedictine Home Health Care and Senior Care and her wonderful nurse, Alexa.

Visitation will be Monday, June 3^rd from 5-7pm in the Dougherty Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue Tuesday, June 4^th from 9- 10am followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, 325 E 3^rd St. Duluth, MN. Sign the online register book at, www.dfhduluth.com.   Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E 2^nd St. Duluth, MN, (218) 727-3555. 

Memorials to Animal Allies of Duluth, John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and Adopt a Husky Minnesota.