Janet Lee Bonton

Janet Lee Bonton died peacefully, after a brief illness, on June 10, 2025.

Born December 28, 1932 in Monte Vista, Colorado, Janet was the daughter of Claus Thompson and Lola Elizabeth (Wright) Thompson. She attended Monte Vista High School and wrote this reflection on growing up in a journal entry dated March 18, 2006, "I tend to think about my childhood on the farm. This time of year makes me think of playing work-up with Myron and Daddy. I loved that as long as I didn't have to pitch. Daddy, hit the ball, my face caught it, Man!!! stars and stripes forever."

Janet worked as a Nurse's Aide and in-home caregiver in the sixties. Her longest career was as a bartender and lounge manager at the Holiday Inn in Grand Junction, Colorado. She was loved by coworkers, customers and the traveling musicians alike! Her favorite memories from those days include a customer asking if she gave dance lessons because she always danced behind the bar; decorating for the holidays and the shenanigans of traveling salesmen. She especially loved her years as a Foster Grandma serving as a teacher's aide at Divsion of Youth Services. Kids would run up to her in the mall or a park calling, "Grandma, Grandma."

It was during her years as a teacher's aide, at age 70, that her art teacher, Beverly O'Niel pulled all manner of art out of Janet. Mom did ink drawing, painting, batik, collage, and her kids and grandkids have her art in their homes as a reminder that it's never to late to start a hobby!

Janet was loved by all who knew her, her family was her biggest priority and she had a wide extended family. She dedicated her life to God and to following God's will. She had membership in several Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Colorado and sang solos, duets and in choirs as well as teaching children's classes and volunteering in the Service Center. All the neighborhood kids, friends of Janet's four children, loved hanging out at her home because she wanted kids to have fun and liked to join in the water fights sometimes.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, Claus and Lola Thompson, her brothers Lowell (Ardith, Mary) Thompson, Myron (Dorothy) Thompson, brother in law, Spencer Decker Jr., her spouse Jimmie Bonton, her oldest son Ethan Ecord, son in law, Earl Williams and her youngest granddaughter Ricci Bonton.

Janet is survived by her daughter Ivy Williams, and sons Arragon (Carrie) Ecord and Tyrone Bonton; her sister Janean Decker, four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and all her beloved nieces and nephews.

At Janet's wishes, no official service will be held, but many inpromptu gatherings will be embraced at every opportunity to celebrate the life we shared with Janet Lee.

Memorial contributions, if desired can be made in Janet's name to HopeWest Hospice HopeWestCO.org