JANET LOPER BLAKE
March 19, 1948 - April 12, 2017
BIOGRAPHY
Late on the evening of her granddaughter's birthday April 12, 2017, our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, took her final breath of air on Earth. She was surrounded by her family at her daughter's home in Washington, UT and is finally at peace after a lengthy struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born on March 19, 1948 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Jan was the 3rd of 4 children to Edward William Loper and Gertrude Frances Kulczak.
As a child, Jan traveled the globe with her 2 older sisters Jeanne and Marsha as an “Air Force Brat”. Their father served as Master Sargent at Air Force Bases in Everson, PA; Moses Lake WA; Great Falls MT; and Ipswich, England where the family welcomed their “big” little brother Richard. The family later settled into their permanent residence in Las Vegas, NV when Edward was transferred to Nellis Air Force Base.
Jan attended many schools during her childhood. During her travels, she attended the Jesus Mary Convent in Ipswich, England, and Ursaline Academy in Great Falls, MT. After settling in Las Vegas, she attended Lincoln Elementary, Nellis Elementary, Jim Bridger Middle School, JD Smith Junior High, and graduated from Rancho High School, class of 1966.
Jan married Billie Lee Blake on January 21, 1967 in Las Vegas, NV, where they started their young family. It was obvious to all that Jan always wanted to be a wife, mother, and homemaker, as she excelled at each. Their four beautiful daughters were always a source of great pride for Jan and Bill.
Jan loved the simple things in life. She loved going on drives with Bill to see new places and take in the beautiful scenery of Southern Utah. The family also spent many a weekend at their cabin in Duck Creek, where they would fish, hunt, go on drives, and enjoy the fresh air. That tradition continued on with the next generation, as the cabin was also a favorite destination for many of the grandchildren.
Jan was the ultimate sports fan. No matter the season, there was always a team she was following and cheering for. Although she was born in Pennsylvania and had a deep rooted love for the Steelers and Pirates, she soon became a devoted fan of many Utah teams. The last few years of her life, her schedule was definitely planned around Jazz games. She had exhilaration when they won, and sadness when they lost.
Jan was kind, caring, thoughtful, understanding, and will be missed greatly by all that were fortunate enough to know her.
Jan is survived by daughters Sandy Smith (Steve), Jackie Barnson (Shawn), Lori Anderson, Nancy Shirts (Casey); siblings Jeanne White (Walt), Marsha Toms, Richard Loper (Rosemary); in-laws Leon Blake (Dorothy), Shirley Thompson (Louis), Royal Blake (Billie); 8 grandchildren Sadie & Shayden Smith, Zane & Dax Barnson, Amberlee & Alec Anderson, Anique & Vander Shirts; 2 great-grandchildren Jaxen Smith and Ellie Rose Anderson.
She is preceded in death by her husband Billie Blake, parents Edward & Gertrude Loper, brother-in-law Ernie Toms; parents-in-law Hollis & Lucia Blake, siblings-in-law Wilma & Lynn Boyter, and Wesley & Phyllis Blake; son-in-law Brant Anderson; grandchildren Brittany & Coy Barnson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Monday April 17, 2017 in Cedar City, UT at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N 300 W). A viewing will be held from 11:00 – 12:30pm prior to services. Interment will be held in the Cedar City Cemetery.
March 19, 1948 - April 12, 2017
BIOGRAPHY
Late on the evening of her granddaughter's birthday April 12, 2017, our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, took her final breath of air on Earth. She was surrounded by her family at her daughter's home in Washington, UT and is finally at peace after a lengthy struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born on March 19, 1948 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Jan was the 3rd of 4 children to Edward William Loper and Gertrude Frances Kulczak.
As a child, Jan traveled the globe with her 2 older sisters Jeanne and Marsha as an “Air Force Brat”. Their father served as Master Sargent at Air Force Bases in Everson, PA; Moses Lake WA; Great Falls MT; and Ipswich, England where the family welcomed their “big” little brother Richard. The family later settled into their permanent residence in Las Vegas, NV when Edward was transferred to Nellis Air Force Base.
Jan attended many schools during her childhood. During her travels, she attended the Jesus Mary Convent in Ipswich, England, and Ursaline Academy in Great Falls, MT. After settling in Las Vegas, she attended Lincoln Elementary, Nellis Elementary, Jim Bridger Middle School, JD Smith Junior High, and graduated from Rancho High School, class of 1966.
Jan married Billie Lee Blake on January 21, 1967 in Las Vegas, NV, where they started their young family. It was obvious to all that Jan always wanted to be a wife, mother, and homemaker, as she excelled at each. Their four beautiful daughters were always a source of great pride for Jan and Bill.
Jan loved the simple things in life. She loved going on drives with Bill to see new places and take in the beautiful scenery of Southern Utah. The family also spent many a weekend at their cabin in Duck Creek, where they would fish, hunt, go on drives, and enjoy the fresh air. That tradition continued on with the next generation, as the cabin was also a favorite destination for many of the grandchildren.
Jan was the ultimate sports fan. No matter the season, there was always a team she was following and cheering for. Although she was born in Pennsylvania and had a deep rooted love for the Steelers and Pirates, she soon became a devoted fan of many Utah teams. The last few years of her life, her schedule was definitely planned around Jazz games. She had exhilaration when they won, and sadness when they lost.
Jan was kind, caring, thoughtful, understanding, and will be missed greatly by all that were fortunate enough to know her.
Jan is survived by daughters Sandy Smith (Steve), Jackie Barnson (Shawn), Lori Anderson, Nancy Shirts (Casey); siblings Jeanne White (Walt), Marsha Toms, Richard Loper (Rosemary); in-laws Leon Blake (Dorothy), Shirley Thompson (Louis), Royal Blake (Billie); 8 grandchildren Sadie & Shayden Smith, Zane & Dax Barnson, Amberlee & Alec Anderson, Anique & Vander Shirts; 2 great-grandchildren Jaxen Smith and Ellie Rose Anderson.
She is preceded in death by her husband Billie Blake, parents Edward & Gertrude Loper, brother-in-law Ernie Toms; parents-in-law Hollis & Lucia Blake, siblings-in-law Wilma & Lynn Boyter, and Wesley & Phyllis Blake; son-in-law Brant Anderson; grandchildren Brittany & Coy Barnson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Monday April 17, 2017 in Cedar City, UT at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N 300 W). A viewing will be held from 11:00 – 12:30pm prior to services. Interment will be held in the Cedar City Cemetery.
JANET LOPER BLAKE
March 19, 1948 - April 12, 2017
BIOGRAPHY
Late on the evening of her granddaughter's birthday April 12, 2017, our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, took her final breath of air on Earth. She was surrounded by her family at her daughter's home in Washington, UT and is finally at peace after a lengthy struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born on March 19, 1948 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Jan was the 3rd of 4 children to Edward William Loper and Gertrude Frances Kulczak.
As a child, Jan traveled the globe with her 2 older sisters Jeanne and Marsha as an “Air Force Brat”. Their father served as Master Sargent at Air Force Bases in Everson, PA; Moses Lake WA; Great Falls MT; and Ipswich, England where the family welcomed their “big” little brother Richard. The family later settled into their permanent residence in Las Vegas, NV when Edward was transferred to Nellis Air Force Base.
Jan attended many schools during her childhood. During her travels, she attended the Jesus Mary Convent in Ipswich, England, and Ursaline Academy in Great Falls, MT. After settling in Las Vegas, she attended Lincoln Elementary, Nellis Elementary, Jim Bridger Middle School, JD Smith Junior High, and graduated from Rancho High School, class of 1966.
Jan married Billie Lee Blake on January 21, 1967 in Las Vegas, NV, where they started their young family. It was obvious to all that Jan always wanted to be a wife, mother, and homemaker, as she excelled at each. Their four beautiful daughters were always a source of great pride for Jan and Bill.
Jan loved the simple things in life. She loved going on drives with Bill to see new places and take in the beautiful scenery of Southern Utah. The family also spent many a weekend at their cabin in Duck Creek, where they would fish, hunt, go on drives, and enjoy the fresh air. That tradition continued on with the next generation, as the cabin was also a favorite destination for many of the grandchildren.
Jan was the ultimate sports fan. No matter the season, there was always a team she was following and cheering for. Although she was born in Pennsylvania and had a deep rooted love for the Steelers and Pirates, she soon became a devoted fan of many Utah teams. The last few years of her life, her schedule was definitely planned around Jazz games. She had exhilaration when they won, and sadness when they lost.
Jan was kind, caring, thoughtful, understanding, and will be missed greatly by all that were fortunate enough to know her.
Jan is survived by daughters Sandy Smith (Steve), Jackie Barnson (Shawn), Lori Anderson, Nancy Shirts (Casey); siblings Jeanne White (Walt), Marsha Toms, Richard Loper (Rosemary); in-laws Leon Blake (Dorothy), Shirley Thompson (Louis), Royal Blake (Billie); 8 grandchildren Sadie & Shayden Smith, Zane & Dax Barnson, Amberlee & Alec Anderson, Anique & Vander Shirts; 2 great-grandchildren Jaxen Smith and Ellie Rose Anderson.
She is preceded in death by her husband Billie Blake, parents Edward & Gertrude Loper, brother-in-law Ernie Toms; parents-in-law Hollis & Lucia Blake, siblings-in-law Wilma & Lynn Boyter, and Wesley & Phyllis Blake; son-in-law Brant Anderson; grandchildren Brittany & Coy Barnson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Monday April 17, 2017 in Cedar City, UT at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N 300 W). A viewing will be held from 11:00 – 12:30pm prior to services. Interment will be held in the Cedar City Cemetery.
March 19, 1948 - April 12, 2017
BIOGRAPHY
Late on the evening of her granddaughter's birthday April 12, 2017, our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, took her final breath of air on Earth. She was surrounded by her family at her daughter's home in Washington, UT and is finally at peace after a lengthy struggle with pancreatic cancer. Born on March 19, 1948 in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Jan was the 3rd of 4 children to Edward William Loper and Gertrude Frances Kulczak.
As a child, Jan traveled the globe with her 2 older sisters Jeanne and Marsha as an “Air Force Brat”. Their father served as Master Sargent at Air Force Bases in Everson, PA; Moses Lake WA; Great Falls MT; and Ipswich, England where the family welcomed their “big” little brother Richard. The family later settled into their permanent residence in Las Vegas, NV when Edward was transferred to Nellis Air Force Base.
Jan attended many schools during her childhood. During her travels, she attended the Jesus Mary Convent in Ipswich, England, and Ursaline Academy in Great Falls, MT. After settling in Las Vegas, she attended Lincoln Elementary, Nellis Elementary, Jim Bridger Middle School, JD Smith Junior High, and graduated from Rancho High School, class of 1966.
Jan married Billie Lee Blake on January 21, 1967 in Las Vegas, NV, where they started their young family. It was obvious to all that Jan always wanted to be a wife, mother, and homemaker, as she excelled at each. Their four beautiful daughters were always a source of great pride for Jan and Bill.
Jan loved the simple things in life. She loved going on drives with Bill to see new places and take in the beautiful scenery of Southern Utah. The family also spent many a weekend at their cabin in Duck Creek, where they would fish, hunt, go on drives, and enjoy the fresh air. That tradition continued on with the next generation, as the cabin was also a favorite destination for many of the grandchildren.
Jan was the ultimate sports fan. No matter the season, there was always a team she was following and cheering for. Although she was born in Pennsylvania and had a deep rooted love for the Steelers and Pirates, she soon became a devoted fan of many Utah teams. The last few years of her life, her schedule was definitely planned around Jazz games. She had exhilaration when they won, and sadness when they lost.
Jan was kind, caring, thoughtful, understanding, and will be missed greatly by all that were fortunate enough to know her.
Jan is survived by daughters Sandy Smith (Steve), Jackie Barnson (Shawn), Lori Anderson, Nancy Shirts (Casey); siblings Jeanne White (Walt), Marsha Toms, Richard Loper (Rosemary); in-laws Leon Blake (Dorothy), Shirley Thompson (Louis), Royal Blake (Billie); 8 grandchildren Sadie & Shayden Smith, Zane & Dax Barnson, Amberlee & Alec Anderson, Anique & Vander Shirts; 2 great-grandchildren Jaxen Smith and Ellie Rose Anderson.
She is preceded in death by her husband Billie Blake, parents Edward & Gertrude Loper, brother-in-law Ernie Toms; parents-in-law Hollis & Lucia Blake, siblings-in-law Wilma & Lynn Boyter, and Wesley & Phyllis Blake; son-in-law Brant Anderson; grandchildren Brittany & Coy Barnson.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Monday April 17, 2017 in Cedar City, UT at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N 300 W). A viewing will be held from 11:00 – 12:30pm prior to services. Interment will be held in the Cedar City Cemetery.
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