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In Memory Of

Janice H. Sarvis of Helena,

January 30, 1932 – November 24, 2015

Janice Helen Fortier Sarvis

 

On the evening of November 24, 2015 Janice passed away quietly in her sleep. At the time of her death she was residing in Evanston, Wyoming where she had recently moved. She was born January 30, 1932 in Portland, Oregon to Oliver and Lillian Fortier. She joined an older sister, Barbara Jean. Many holidays and summers were spent at her favorite place in the world, Tillamook, Oregon, home of her Aunt Emma Groat.

She attended Ockley Green Grammar School and graduated from Jefferson High School in Portland. After graduation she attended Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. She was a member of the Gamma Phi sorority which she remained active in for the remainder of her life.

While at college she met her future husband Jim Sarvis and they were married September 8,

  1. After Jim graduated, they returned to Portland where their first daughter Helen Lee was born and five years later they welcomed their second daughter Jeanette Marie.

Jan was active in bowling leagues and leading her daughters’ Camp Fire Girls group. She also loved to get together with friends to play bridge.

Seeking a slower life style, Jim and Jan relocated to Helena, Montana in 1968. When her daughters were older, she joined the workforce, becoming head housekeeper at the Masonic Home of Montana. She loved her job and became very involved with the residents, planning parties where she dressed in costumes celebrating holidays with them.

Later in life Jim and Jan traveled and took many memorable trips to Mazatlan, Mexico and her home of heart, the Oregon Coast.

Jan was a breast cancer survivor and walked in the Race for the Cure annually with her daughters and grandchildren. Even when she was unable to walk in the race she could be seen cheering on the racers from the sidelines. She was also an active member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Portland and St. Peter’s Episcopal Cathedral in Helena.

She is preceded in death by her husband Jim, parents Oliver and Lillian, sister Barbara Bertlin and her mother and father-in-law Effie and Lyle Sarvis.

She is survived by daughter, Helen Lee Reposa (Mike, Gary, Mindy, Kerry, Jon and Kris) and Jeanette Marie Vogl and her husband Paul (Amy, Sara and Jason) and numerous great and great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral service to start at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 4th, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. with a reception to follow the service in the Banquet Hall of the funeral home. Burial will be held at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Ft. Harrison after the reception. Memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s Breast Cancer charities. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Service Schedule

Visitation

10:00 a.m.

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the Service

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Burial

Following the Reception

Friday December 4, 2015

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Heros Road

Fort Harrison, MT 59636

View map

Service Schedule

Visitation

10:00 a.m.

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the Service

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Burial

Following the Reception

Friday December 4, 2015

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Heros Road

Fort Harrison, MT 59636

View map

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Memories

Read the thoughts and memories, then feel free to add your own.

  1. Crystal and Todd Vogl says

    November 29, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    We are so sad to hear of your loss. We have many great memories of Jan. She was a wonderful lady that was very proud of her family. Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

  2. Nicole Hanni says

    November 30, 2015 at 8:40 am

    I am so sorry for your loss. We will be keeping you guys in our thoughts.

    Ron and Nicole Hanni

  3. Linda Cameron says

    December 1, 2015 at 7:23 am

    My condolences to all of Jan’s family and friends. I have missed her smiling face and words of wisdom in Helena. RIP dear Jan. I can just hear and see her bringing order to her new resting place …… and planning her next excursion!

    Linda Cameron

  4. Diane Pedersen says

    December 1, 2015 at 7:50 am

    I am sorry to learn that Jan passed away. We knew Jan and Jim through the post office where Jim and my husband worked. We attended many postal events and shared many good times with Jan and Jim. Deepest sympathy to your family. Diane

  5. Peggy Audie says

    December 1, 2015 at 5:03 pm

    Jeanette,
    I am so sorry for yours and your families loss of your mom. I have fond memories of our Junior High school days of her taking us on wonderful picnic’s around Helena & making the best fried chicken ever, with Kellogg’s Corn Flakes! She was a wonderful mom who gracefully survived our teenage years. May the fond memories you have of her help you through the pain of your loss.
    You are all in my heart & prayers. Peggy, Spokane, WA.

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Service Schedule

Visitation

10:00 a.m.

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Funeral Service

11:00 a.m.

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave.

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Reception

Following the Service

Friday December 4, 2015

Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home

3750 N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

View map

Burial

Following the Reception

Friday December 4, 2015

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

Heros Road

Fort Harrison, MT 59636

View map

Share

Share this! Tweet this! Email this!

Send flowers

Please visit the floral shop page for assistance in choosing a local florist.

Photo Gallery

No photos have been submitted yet.
Click here to share yours.

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