RAPID CITY- Dr. William "Bill" Janss, 84, died Monday, March 31, 2014 at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was an Iowa farm boy, born in Belle Plaine Iowa to John and Anna Janss. The youngest of nine children, he grew up tending the family farm while his father worked as a blacksmith for the railroad and his mother ran a dairy and butcher shop. He attended the University of Iowa where he received his bachelors and Medical degree in 1955. He interned at Toledo Ohio County Hospital and returned to Iowa City to serve his residency in internal medicine at the VA Hospital. He met and married a fellow resident, the love of his life, Gerti Jimeno in 1958. Upon finishing residency he served as Medical Officer at Offut Air Force Base Nebraska for two years. Dr. Bill moved his family to Rapid City South Dakota in 1961 and opened and ran a private medical practice for 35 years. In 1984 he was appointed Medical Director of the Inpatient Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center at St Martins for seven years. Dr Bill was devoted to his patients and medical practice. He would often take some or all of his six children on hospital rounds and house calls. He was one of the last doctors to give house calls on his sick and elderly patients. He retired in 1996. He loved his large and active family. He tended his garden where he recreated a version of his childhood farm with a creek, large vegetable garden and menagerie of animals from ponies dogs and cats to chickens, turtles and peacocks. Dr. Bill was an avid reader and filled his home with books and art, passing that passion to his children. He loved to paint and draw, sculpted wood and alabaster. Dr Bill played piano and guitar, and raised his family listening to opera and classical music. His last 25 years were devoted to his wife, the recovery of alcoholics and addicts and his grandchildren. Known as 'Yayo', he often travelled to care for his grandchildren when called upon. They were the greatest pride of his life. His love of music, literature and learning are his legacy to them. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Kathryn Lebeda, brothers; Louis, Paul, Tom, Don, Jim and Dr. John (Bob) Janss. He is survived by his wife Dr. Gerti Janss of Rapid City; his children; Dr. Anna Janss of Atlanta Georgia; Dr. Gerta Janss of Chicago IL; Maria Nuria Janss of Waterford CT; John Janss of Tempe, AZ; Helen Gutierres of Rapid City SD; and William Janss of Phoenix AZ; his sister Patsy Williams of Columbus Ohio; and 20 grandchildren. Christian Burial Mass will be offered at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Church. A memorial to celebrate his life will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.