Janet Argyle

1940 - 2025

Janet "Jan" Lee Argyle (James) passed away on December 19, 2025 in Salmon, Idaho.

Jan was born on August 3, 1940 in Challis, Idaho to Gurney and Kate James. She became part of the sizable, close-knit and rambunctious James clan. She sang in the chorus and played volleyball, often caring for her siblings. She had a mischievous personality and loved pranks, which carried on to adulthood. She often slipped the kids treats with a wink and egged on others with that impish grin. Jan claimed to be stubborn or ornery, however it was an inherited perseverance which gave her strength.

Jan married David Oliver Lee on February 23, 1957 in Challis, Idaho. Upon leaving the Army, Dave became the Forest Service SNRA Wilderness Zone Manager, where Jan fed and cared for many at the Fourth of July Creek ranger station. They had two sons, Dean and Bob, who were taught the way of the woods, skiing, fishing and hunting. Jan and Dave spent their summers at the ranger station in Sawtooth valley, and winters in Hailey, Idaho.

When Dave left this life too soon in 1982, Jan permanently settled in Hailey, Idaho, living right next door to family. She tended to her garden, growing peas and strawberries, sewing clothes for stuffed animals and sneaking coffee to her granddaughters.

Jan met and married Joseph "Dean" Argyle on January 20, 1990 in Hailey, Idaho. Dean was relocated by the Forest Service to Juneau, Alaska, where they enjoyed picking blueberries and watching black bears in the backyard. They entertained friends and family by cruising on their large pleasure fishing boat, catching halibut, king crab and salmon.

She and Dean moved back to Challis in 1994, where they built a home and owned a small cabin across the creek for guests. Their home was a gathering place for all, as anyone passing through was considered family. Jan lost Dean in 2018.

Jan made a profound impact on her family, by teaching about sewing and cooking, making egg noodles and strawberry jam from scratch. Her baked goods, including German chocolate cake, were recipes passed along, some of them contentiously claimed by family members, all inspired by Grandma Kate's ingenuity in hard times. She was an avid canner and game meat processor.

She endlessly tended her garden and greenhouse, growing cabbage for sauerkraut and cucumbers for all kinds of pickles, while snacking on snap peas.

She shared her lifelong love of animals with her many pets, including Moose, Grayman, Bobbie and by taming the feral cats who she all called "Baby".

Her generosity and kindness showed through, as she often sent visitors on their way with food and gifts. She eagerly lent a helping hand to those in need. Her door was always open, day or night, over the phone or to sit down with a cup of tea. She was always available to stop and listen, to give sound advice without judgment. These long chats will be deeply missed.

Jan is survived by her sons, David "Dean" Lee, and Robert "Bob" (Kathy) Lee; her stepdaughter Ada (Dale) Kepler; sister Lorraine Liechty Olsen; many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Gurney James and Katherine "Kate" Mavity; brothers Richard, Harry, William "Bill", and Jimmie "Jim"; sisters Jean "Tiny" Williams, Stella Winter, and Carol Bush; husbands David Oliver Lee, and Joseph Dean Argyle.

In following Jan's wishes, no formal services will be held.