Lois M Janecky
August 10, 1921 - February 12, 2016
Obituary
Lois Margaret (McKenzie) Janecky, age 94, passed away at her home in Bellevue, Washington on Friday, February 12, 2016, surrounded by her children. Born on August 10, 1921 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Lois spent many delightful summers at her family’s cottage on Lake Melissa. During the school year, Lois lived in Fargo, North Dakota and attended local schools. While in grade school, she started her singing career with a weekly program on WDAY radio. Her singing led her to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she was the contralto soloist in the Concordia Choir, under the direction of Paul J. Christiansen. Lois’ adventurous spirit led her to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Yellowstone National Park, and New York City. During the summer of 1947, while working at Old Canyon Lodge in Yellowstone National Park, she met Richard Myron Janecky, and they were married on June 25, 1949 in Fargo, North Dakota. The couple lived in Kellogg, Minnesota, Denver, Colorado, Meeker, Colorado, and Lodi, California. Lois graced all of these cities with her beautiful singing. After the death of her husband, she moved to Bellevue, Washington to be close to her daughter, where she was the focal point for many family gatherings.
Lois enjoyed attending operas, symphonies, and theatrical performances in San Francisco and many other cities. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Lodi and sang in the church choir. Her singing was also featured as a contralto soloist with the Stockton Chorale, and the Ripon Oratorio Society where she sang Handel’s Messiah. Lois loved birds and flowers, enjoying them as she camped and hiked with her family across the West and Midwest. She loved baking, knitting, crocheting, and crafting items that her family will continue to enjoy. Lois was a wonderful mom and grandmother.
Lois is survived by her children; son, David Janecky (Loui) of Los Alamos, New Mexico, daughters, Sue Chealander (Mark) of Seattle, Washington, and Karen Johnson (Jeff) of Reno, Nevada; six grandchildren: David’s children Gregg and Grant of Truckee and Kings Beach, California; Sue’s children Lynn of Sydney, Australia and Michael of Seattle, Washington, and Karen’s children Miranda (Nate) of Reno, Nevada and Garrick of Golden, Colorado. Lois is also survived by her sister-in-law, Betty Janecky, and 11 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Richard Janecky; and her sisters Jean Green, and Betty Murphy. The family extends special thanks to the staff of Sunrise of Bellevue for their loving care.
A family graveside service will be held on Wednesday, February 24 at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, California. Memorial contributions have been suggested to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, King FM classical radio station in Seattle, Washington, or Yellowstone Association.