Janet Fiala

Janet Leandra Fiala 1938 - 2024
Janet Fiala (86), of Madras Oregon, passed away peacefully on 06/14/24.
Janet was born in Springerville, Arizona on April 5, 1938, to Richard and Mary Ann Rudd. When Janet was three years old, the family moved to Gallup, NM where Janet attended grades K – 12. What she remembers most about that time is that she had a lot of friends.
The most "memorable" event of her childhood was contracting polio at age 9 and being in a coma for 2 weeks. When she awoke, the doctors told her that she would never walk again. But her father would have none of that and told Janet that she would get better and that she would walk again. Every day he would visit her in the hospital and talk to her and vigorously rub her legs. Her legs were very sensitive and even the slightest touch was painful, so her father would bribe Janet with peanut butter or chocolate and read her comics, so she would allow him to rub her legs. She remained in the hospital for 6 weeks at which time she walked out of the hospital and went home. In her adult life, no one would have been able to tell that she had polio.
Following the death of her father at age 13 (heart attack at 61), then her mother at age 15 (stroke / heart attack at 62), Janet continued to live in her parent's house with her older sister Beulah, who became her guardian.
Janet attended Gallup High School. In those days there were not many extracurricular programs for girls, but she does remember participating in the high school choir. Janet graduated from Gallup High School in 1955.
In 1956 she married Jack (John) Fiala in Gallup and shortly after moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota for Jack's work with the BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs). From there they moved multiple times: Pine Ridge, South Dakota, New Town, North Dakota, and finally Warm Springs, Oregon. When Jack died unexpectedly at age 43 (heart attack), on May 8th, 1978, she moved to Madras, OR with her three youngest children.
In 1988, Janet met an old high school friend, Howard Shipley, and they started dating. They were together until his death in 2015.
Janet and Jack had six kids spaced nine years apart and she had her hands full raising them. But she still found time to be creative. She would make clothes for the girls and modify clothes for the boys. Plain shirts would be made fancy by sewing intricate colorful patterns into them. She took up making "Eye of God" decorations, some were small and others quite large, but they were all pretty. She also made some very intricate and beautiful needle point pictures. We did not have a lot of money so for bed coverings she would take old clothes (shirts, pants, etc.) and cut them up into squares and make unique and beautiful quilts. Not only did the quilts look good, but they were also warm and sturdy, some are still in use 50 years later.
Probably the most memorable and beautiful art she made were the afghans she crocheted. Each one was unique, and she made one for everyone in the family including the great grand kids. The other art she crocheted were dresses and outfits for dolls. For example, she made a beautiful Indian dress and for Halloween she made a witch's costume. We have a room full of these beautiful doll outfits. She also crocheted hats, animals, scarfs, slippers, etc.
Once the number of kids at home dropped down to three, Janet went to work at the elementary school in Warm Springs as a cook. This was a good fit for her since she was used to cooking large meals.
In Madras she worked at: Aherns Stop and Go helping them start up its Deli. She also worked at Rodgers Drug Store and Grandma Hoffey's restaurant.
Janet took pride in her home and yard and would spend her available time working in her yard and garden.
Janet was a member of the Elks and was an avid bridge player at the Senior Center, as well as a regular player with many of her friends. She also loved to read mystery novels. The playing of Mexican Train (dominoes) each Christmas with all the family, while eating her homemade banana bread, will certainly be remembered by her children and grandchildren.
In December 2017, Janet was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome (basically the reoccurrence of polio). This began her 7-year health battle.
But what people will remember the most is Janet's smile and quiet, warm personality. She had a great sense of humor and made everyone feel welcome in her home. She will be missed.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband Jack, Howard Shipley and her seven brothers and sisters and their spouses: RT Rudd (Isabel), Burbank, CA; Ray F Rudd (Mary), Ft Worth, TX; Mildred Simpson (Bill), Cottonwood, AZ; Nedra Fife (Carl), Lordsburg, NM; Beulah McQuade (Joe), Gallup, NM; Mary Rudeau (Augie), Gallup, NM; and Richard Rudd JR, Las Cruses, NM.
Janet is survived by her six children: John Fiala (Mary) Hickory Creek, TX; Cath Utter Monroe, OR; Debi McFarland Gladstone, OR; Mike Fiala Madras, OR; Rick Fiala Eugene, OR; Steve Fiala Monument, CO.
Her ten grandchildren: Scott Utter, Amy Utter, Staci Creighton, Joseph Fiala, Michelle Fiala, Matthew Fiala, Jessica Fiala, Emily Fiala, Michael Fiala Jr, Skye Fiala.
And her nine great grandchildren: Emme Creighton, Cleo Creighton, Tiana Utter, Josiah Utter, Jordan Cimino, Claire Fiala, Austin Fiala, Avery Fiala and Caleb Fiala.
Services were held 06/20/24, and burial was at the Mt. Jefferson Memorial Park Cemetery in Madras, Oregon.
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