Janet A. Reierson

Janet A. Reierson died on May 1, 2017 at her residence in Canby, Oregon at the age of 82. She was born in 1934 in Ortonville, Minnesota, the oldest of four siblings, to parents Alfred and Gladys. She was baptized in Ortonville and lived in Bemidji during her early school years. In the spring of 1943 the family moved to Portland, OR where her father had found work in the shipyards at St. Johns. The journey was made in her grandfather’s ’39 Buick coupe with seating for three and makeshift floor space in the back, carrying all seven, including Grandpa, to their new home on Allegheny Avenue. They traveled at a war-time speed limit of 35 mph. Janet was confirmed at Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church on June 30, 1945. She graduated with honors from Roosevelt High School in 1952 and attended Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland, WA in the fall. She was among the first 11 freshmen women to live in the newly converted attic of Old Main (Harstad Hall). Here she formed a special bond with friends for a lifetime, the 5th Floor Gang. Janet enjoyed many reunions with these lovely friends, and participated in their round-robin letters over the years. Janet graduated in May 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and a minor in Fine Arts. Janet and her high school sweetheart Ramon M. Reierson were married on July 14, 1956 at Portsmouth Trinity Lutheran Church. On June 20, 1959, Jan and Ray embarked in their red Volkswagen bug on a trip around the U.S. From Portland, they traveled through the South, to Key West, to the other Portland and back, returning 13,737 miles later on August 30. Janet taught second grade for four years at Portsmouth Grade School in St. Johns until they began a family. In 1960, David was born, followed by Philip in 1961, and Timothy in 1964. In 1967, the family moved to their newly constructed house on Jobin Road in Scappoose. They attended Grace Lutheran Church in Scappoose, and then Bethany Lutheran Church in Warren where Jan and Ray sang in the choir. In 1972 Janet returned to work to help support the family. She taught special reading, and first and second grades at McBride Elementary School in St. Helens. She took night classes to earn an M.S. degree in Special Education from Portland State University in 1978. Janet retired from McBride in 1997 after 25 years. Janet was first and foremost devoted to her family, and lived her life on a strong foundation of Lutheran faith, as did her parents before her. Her working life was dedicated to the education of young children in our public schools. She loved children. She would be remembered for her inviting classroom, smile for a job well done, and beautiful handwriting. She was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed cooking, reading, arranging flowers, singing alto in choir, and spending time at the Oregon beaches. She honored her Norwegian and Swedish heritage through baking and holiday traditions and decorations, jewelry and clothing items, lovingly crafted hand work, and always seeing to the needs of her guests first. The sewing basket and embroidery hoop were kept close by her chair, along with Sunset and Better Homes & Gardens magazines, to search for a new recipe to try. Her life would have broken most, but she met the challenges with an inner strength and will that could only be born of faith and a deep desire to always do her best, plus a little bit more. In this she honored the heart and stubbornness of her ancestors. During her retirement years Janet traveled to Norway with the PLU Choir of the West, and to Paris with her son David’s family. She moved to Hillsboro and made new friends with neighbors there, as well as in Canby, where she moved most recently. She loved to keep up with old friends, her grandchildren, and extended family, and to observe small things of beauty while walking close to home. Janet is survived by sons Dave (Lisa) with grandchildren Hanna and Evan, Phil with grandchildren Makenna and Jacob and their mother Stacy, and Tim (Ann) with grandchildren Erik, Carrie and Grant. Janet is also survived by her siblings Charles (Carol), Gail (Dave), and Mary Jane (Don), and 14 nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Ray, her nephew Kris, and her parents. The family would like to extend special thanks to the Country Side Living care facility in Canby and Bristol Hospice for their tender, loving support. Also, to her church family, and all the friends and neighbors along the way. Finally, to her brother and sisters and their families, and Ray’s family, who have always supported her. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday July 29, 2017 at Zoar Lutheran Church in Canby, with reception to follow. Memorials to honor Janet's memory may be directed to Holden Village, attn: Contributions, HC 0 Box 2, Chelan, WA 98816. Canby Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.