Nancy John Janson

Nancy John Janson died peacefully of Alzheimer's disease on March 22, 2011 at St. Anthony Village, where she received loving care for over nine years. She was 89 years old. Nancy was born on February 18, 1922 in Farmington, Missouri. She was the youngest child of Bernard T. Gentges (the mayor of Farmington) and Elsie Buckman Miles Gentges. Nancy graduated from Farmington High School as the Salutatorian and was elected by her classmates to be the Senior Class Queen. She attended Mineral Area Junior College for two years and graduated in 1944 from Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, WI with a BS degree in Dietetics. While in college she was the president of the Athletic Association. Nancy moved to Portland, Oregon in 1946 to work as a registered Dietitian at Emmanuel Hospital. It was in Portland that she met her husband, Gerald N. Janson. They married on June 19, 1947 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before Jerry's death in May of 1998. Nancy worked as a dietitian at Edgefield Manor and the Evergreen School district. She later established a successful cleaning business employing family and friends to help her. After retirement she tended a large, prolific garden where she grew a variety of vegetables and flowers. Five children survive Nancy: Greg (and wife Jacque), Paula Rose Lang (and husband Mitch), Elsie Grover (and husband Michael), Eric, and Gerald (and wife Polly). 14 grandchildren, Donald Rose, Ana Grover Moseley, Sean Janson, Elspeth Rose Burns, Sarah Grover, Martha Grover, Beth Janson Thorson, Zoe Grover, Elysia Janson, Rachael Grover, Michael Grover, Marissa Janson, Simone Grover and Kyle Janson, also survive her. In addition she leaves 10 great-grandchildren and two "on the way." Her husband Gerald and her oldest grandson, Aaron Janson, preceded her in death. A Rosary will be said at 9:00 am Monday, March 28, 2011, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:00 am at her parish, St. Anthony of Padua Church 3700 SE 79th Ave. Portland, OR 97206. If you wish, donations in Nancy's memory may be made to the Catholic Charities Project Rachel Program 2740 SE Powell Boulevard, Portland, Oregon 97202 or to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church.

Nancy John Janson

February 18, 1922 - March 22, 2011