Jeanette “Jan” French November 16, 1943 – March 28, 2019 Share this obituary View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation On March 28, 2019, Jeanette Ann French completed her baptismal journey and when God took her back, he said “Hallelujah, You’re Home”. Jeanette (Jan) was born November 16, 1943 to John and Sara (Kohler) Becker and the youngest sibling to Don, John, Ralph and Elaine. They lived on the family farm north of Raymond.
Jeanette attended the Raymond School until 8th grade and graduated from Plentywood High School in 1961. She and Ron Lester were married in December 1961 and to this union two girls were born, Tracie and Darla. In 1965 they moved to Syracuse, New York where they lived for the next 7 years and where twin boys, Ron and John were a happy addition to the family.
In addition to raising four children, Jan kept busy in the big city, working in the front office at a bearing company and selling Tupperware for some social fun. Their marriage ended and they returned to Montana. Upon returning to Plentywood, Jan went to work at Montana National Bank where she worked on computerizing the loan department.
Jan and Gordon French were married in 1976 and the family happily grew with the addition of Drea, Gordon’s daughter from a prior marriage. Their story was complete in 1979 with the birth of their son J.J. , but now the family car was no longer big enough! After leaving the banking industry, Jan worked for Collins Insurance Agency and Darvis Accounting.
She worked for Rick Darvis for many years, learning the work required of a school clerk and when the Plentywood School wanted an “in house clerk” she was hired as the first. She worked there for 9 years; the hardest part of the job was when the school burned in 1989, but the happiest part of her job was signing J.J.’s high school diploma in 1997. After J.J. graduated, she “retired” from the school so she could be available to care for her mother, Sara Becker.
After Sara passed away, Jan didn’t remain idle for long and she went to work at Loren O’Toole’s Law Office where she said she learned enough “to be dangerous”. Always active in civic duties, Jan served on the Sheridan Memorial Hospital board, the Sheridan Memorial Foundation board, and on the Council on Aging. Once fully retired, Mom stayed busy doing her most favorite activities…working in the yard, planting flowers, taking walks with Gordie and her beloved Samoyed dogs, socializing with the Redstone Women’s club, baking (her famous) buns and most rewarding of all, taking care of J.J.’s children during the summer while J.J. and Gordie farmed.
Even though it’s very remote, she loved living at the farm and it was her haven in so many ways. ~So Very Peaceful~ Mom was an avid reader and crossword puzzle extraordinaire; we often told her she could be a Jeopardy champion! Almost 30 years ago, Mom began a tradition of making her grandchildren Christmas stockings with beautiful embroidery and sequin designs.
When her children started hinting that they didn’t have one, she started making stockings and/or gifts for the adult “kids” too. These gifts, stitched over many winter hours, will be forever treasured by all of us. Mom loved being a grandma and of course, she” has the best grandkids ever!
” Some of her fondest memories are having family at home, gathering outside on the deck or around the fire-pit and enjoying the beauty of the farm. An extra special memory is of Gordie, grandkids and friends, building the deck with the salvaged lumber from the old school house north of the farm. Jan was preceded in death by her Mother and Father and by her brothers Don and John.
She leaves behind her devoted husband of 43 years Gordon; children – Tracie (Murray) Fladeland with sons Austin, Ryan and Evan Fonk and Logan Fladeland; Darla Lester with sons Mathew and Nick; Ron Lester with son Alex; John (Aimee) Lester; Drea (Randy) Martino and daughters Jenna and Ella and son Jake; and J.J. (Stephanie) French with son Micah and daughter Adriana. Great grandchildren are Rohzlyn and James. Also surviving Jan are her brother Ralph (Carolyn) Becker and her sister Elaine (Herman) Jones; sister-in-laws Delores Becker, Theresa Becker, Nancy (Pete) Drazich and Michelle French.
She is also blessed to be loved by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Jan was blessed to have countless lifetime friends who have been a of comfort to all of us during her illness. The family wishes to acknowledge the above-and-beyond nurturing care given by Dr. Chad Peterson and all of the incredible nurses and staff at the Sidney Cancer Center; the compassionate staff with Sheridan Memorial Hospice in Plentywood and the amazing doctors and nursing staff at the University of Utah’s Intensive Care Burn Unit.
If so desired, memorials may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Sidney Cancer Center or to the charity of your preference. Services for Jan French will be 11AM Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the Plentywood Lutheran Church with Pastor Marlow Carrels officiating. Fulkerson Funeral Home of Plentywood has charge of arrangements.
Cremation has taken place. Interment will take place at a later date. SERVICES Memorial Service Thursday, April 04, 2019 11:00 AM Plentywood Lutheran Church 318 East First Ave.
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