Jan Banghart

After a courageous battle against cancer, Janice K. “Jan” Banghart lost her fight on Monday, March 3, 2025, at home. 

Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Luce Funeral Home, Gettysburg, SD, with a celebration of life following the service at The Bakery on Main St., 111 W Commercial Ave, Gettysburg. The family requests that you dress casually for Jan’s service.

Please direct memorials to Keep Hope Local, 127 Hilltop Dr., Gettysburg, SD 57442.

Janice Kay Beitelspacher was born February 5, 1960, to Eileen (Meyer) and Edwin “Spike” Beitelspacher in Hoven, SD. She attended Hoven schools. She married Tom Frost on October 29, 1977, and to this union, two sons were born. She worked at the Oahe Manor among other places until they went their separate ways. On August 16, 1984, she married Rick Banghart and to this union one son was born. 

Rick and Jan operated a restaurant in Gettysburg along with other jobs. In January of 1989 they moved to Huron, SD where Jan attended and graduated from Huron University on May 9,1992, with degrees in Human Services and Criminal Justice. After graduation, she worked for the Center for Independence as a case manager and found her dedication to helping disabled people get the treatment and services they required. In 1992 they purchased and ran the Shenanigan’s bar in Huron until 2001 and met many lifelong friends through this endeavor. She then became the Human Rights Specialist in Redfield, helping many individuals. She then moved to Pierre to work with the Department of Human Services, until ultimately moving back to Huron and working in Redfield as the Assistant Director and then as the Director until retirement. Jan then decided to go back to work as the Regional Director for Benchmark and in 2018, she and Rick moved back to Gettysburg to help her oldest son with his marketing company venture.

Jan was always doing something in between her school and job opportunities. She had a green thumb that anyone would be envious of, whether it be her garden full of vegetables or her flowers she was so proud of. They also had rental properties to take care of in between everything else. She was an avid pool player, and she loved her time out on the golf course with her family and friends. Somewhere with all her “free” time, Jan and Rick bought the old bakery in Gettysburg and renovated it into their own place where she was able to hold family gatherings, play pool, and she found her passion for buying, repurposing and selling furniture and antiques.

She was most proud of her husband, children, and grandkids and went to as many activities as she was able, supporting and cheering them on. Jan will be remembered as a hardworking, dedicated and wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother along with dedicating her life to the field of human services.

Jan is survived by her husband, Rick Banghart and fur baby Bogie of Gettysburg, SD; three sons: Jeremy Frost of Sioux Falls, SD, Jesse Frost (Amanda) of Hoven, SD and Dustin Banghart (Sabrina) of Huron, SD; one stepdaughter, Melanie Zeman (Mick) of Sioux Falls, SD; four sisters: Clara (Ken) Eilering of Albers, IL, Grace (Dave) VanWell of Hoven, SD, Susan (Jim) Sanders of Belle Fourche, SD, and Rita Miller of Olympia, WA; brother-in-law, Gary Lebert; 12 grandchildren: Sebastian (Kianna), Dani, Christian, Spencer, Oliver, Noah, Gracie, Michael, Hannah, Kaia and Luke; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Spike and Eileen Beitelspacher; sister, Mary Lebert; brother-in-law, Terry Miller; and first husband, Tom Frost.

Memorials may be directed in Jan's honor to Keep Hope Local, 127 Hilltop Dr, Gettysburg, SD 57442. 

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Jan’s arrangements.