On Sunday, November 26, 2023, Janet (Jan) Orell Styles died peacefully at home in Helena, Montana. She was born August 19, 1945, in Virginia, Minnesota, the first child of Al and Dorothy Forsland. She chose to serve God at a young age and loved God all of her life. In 1972, after a short courtship, she and John Styles were married in August of that year. They resided in Bemidji, Minnesota, while finishing school, then moved to the Styles homestead near Drayton, North Dakota, where they lived most of their married life. Together John and Jan had four children: Allison, Suzanna, CB and Gary.
Jan found a lot of satisfaction in being a mother and a homemaker. She also worked part-time at the Drayton school and as a reflexologist, serving on the North Dakota State Board of Reflexology. Jan enjoyed crafting, spending time at the family cabin in Ontario, Canada, and being with family and friends. Jan kept track of the family birthdays and important dates and she often took time to send encouraging words to others. It was important to her to keep in touch with friends and she maintained relationships for decades. She had a sweet, gentle presence and is remembered for her caring heart and warm hugs.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents (Al and Dorothy Forsland), and her sister Wanda Petersen. She is survived by her husband, John; children Debby (Joe) Stacy, Allison Styles, Suzanna Styles, CB (Matt) Smith, and Gary (Ann Marie) Styles; grandchildren Charlie, Rylin, Soren, Devren, and Adria as well as her loving extended family and friends.
Viewing will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. with a memorial service to begin at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A reception will follow the service in the social hall of the funeral home immediately following the service.
Service Schedule
Viewing
2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Thursday November 30, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Thursday November 30, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Thursday November 30, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Memorial Service
3:00 p.m.
Thursday November 30, 2023
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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Lynda J says
Dear John, Debby, Alli, Suz, CB, Gary and all of the family – my heart is with you and my sincere sympathy to you all. Jan will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate to know her. I love that I have endless sweet memories of time spent with Jan and your Family. I treasure the times we had together at the cabin, at conventions, at the farm, at our home or anywhere our paths crossed. We were always met with a genuine smile, a big hug and the warmest welcome. Cabin Mom aka Janamaran deserved a medal for the crazy antics she tolerated (I know we also entertained her) and then we would see her casually sailing solo, out across the bay with a book to enjoy. Above all, I’m so thankful for her quiet, gentle spirit and for her faithfulness that was a constant, encouraging example. Much love to you all!
Diane Dizayee says
John and family,.We extend our condolences to you in the loss of dear Jan. It was a privilege to meet with her on Sunday mornings. I remember her thankfulness for the LORD, His Dear Son, and His people. Jan was creative, talented, kind and cheerful.
Herschel & Grace Jackson says
Thinking of you all these days. We have many special memories of time spent with Jan and John and family.
What a nice way for Jan to slip away so quietly and peacefully to enjoy in an even fuller measure the fellowship she enjoyed through the years. May the God of all comfort be with you all.
Betty (Weiland) Droel says
I am one from Jan’s childhood……have not been in touch since she was married, but want to send my sympathy to the family, Jan’s relation are the pillar friends from that generation. She had a foundation that kept her steady all her life the obituary says. I knew her dad before he was married – so go back a long ways. What a grand welcome on the shores of eternity.
Derald and Nita Steinbrecher says
We have such wonderful memories of dear Jan!!
Our love and sympathy
Derald and Nita Steinbrecher
Cynthia A Timersman says
Cynthia Timmersman (Minneapolis). I am very sorry for your individual losses. Jan was very kind, and very enjoyable to be with. I met Jan I’m 1962 along with Wanda. We became good friends thro the years. She loved to cook and when she came to the cities she would make suppers that were the very best! I know Kent, Kathy and and Clyde will miss her all their lives as will her children very keenly it is a hard to understand and suffer the loss,. May the Lord bless you all and give you extra comfort.
Brad & Lois Dunnington says
Thinking of you all! Have good memories of Jan & you all at the lake & later when our paths crossed. Always appreciated Jan’s calm presence & appreciated her example of faithfulness in living for what has eternal value.
Shirley Foster says
I consider it a very great privilege to have met Jan this year and to have fellowship with her and her husband and some of the children. We had lunch together not long before I moved from Montana and I’m so grateful I had the privilege of calling her my friend. She was delightful and her love for our Heavenly Father didn’t waver through good days and bad. She will be missed!
Edith Mack says
Dear John and all your family…my memories of Jan are one of the sweetest kindest friends. Always seeing the best in people. I appreciated her keeping in touch all through the years. Know you have much to comfort you in your loss.
Carleen McKillop says
Dear family of Jan, thinking of you all so much as you say goodbye to your dear wife, mom, grandma. I didn’t know her well, but she was always so sweet to me. She had such a kind face and smile and was so easy to be around. Loves and hugs sent your way. Love, Carleen McKillop & family
Sharon Livingston says
Wonderful memories from college days and scattered times in adulthood. A dear sweet friend!
Many thoughts go to your family
Love Sharon