Janalee Evans

1947 - 2015

Our loyal wife, devoted mother and grandmother, trusted friend, loving teacher and talented musician, Janalee Evans, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 5, 2015. She was born in San Francisco, CA on May 26, 1947 to Alice Marie (McElhangy) Farmer and Joseph Thomas Farmer.
Janalee was raised in San Carlos, CA and Redwood City, CA. She attended the Redwood City School District elemen­tary schools and graduated in the top of her San Carlos High School class in 1965. During junior high school and high school, she was involved in Jobs Daughters, serving as the mu­sician. She was active in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, serving as the president in 1964-65. She attended the College of San Mateo, earning an AA degree in 1967 and transferred to San Jose State University, where she graduated with a BA de­gree with distinction. After college, Janalee was a management intern for the JC Penny Company.
Janalee was a loving mother and wife throughout her life. She met her husband, David Evans, at a Jobs Daughter dance in 1959. They dated throughout high school and were married in the Woodside Road Community Methodist Church in August 1967. David and Janalee welcomed their first child, son Lee Allen, in 1969 and daughter Alison Marie in 1973.
In 1972, Janalee and good friend Pat Wolfson started a pre­school in Cave Junction, OR and upon moving to Colville in 1976, Jan taught at Bright Beginnings Preschool. After ob­taining her teaching credential from Gonzaga University, she began her 30-year career in education.
Her first position was as a team-teacher with Chuck Salina at Astor School. She obtained her Master's degree from Gon­zaga University in 1987. She served the Colville School Dis­trict in various capacities: as an elementary teacher, in special education and as a reading specialist. It gave her great joy to help children succeed. She was an advocate for her students and was grateful for the op­portunity to teach.
Janalee was active in her community and in her church. She was a talented pianist, serving her church as an accom­panist; she was part of the RingJoy Handbell Choir and the praise team. She was most excited to award church schol­ar­ships to graduating seniors of the Colville Community Church. She was co-chair of the Colville Junior Miss program for 10 years, was honored to serve as an interview coach for several years afterward, and acted as a Junior Miss judge for commu­nities throughout Washington State.
All who knew Janalee revered her for her optimism. She loved spending time with her family and her many friends. She had a great sense of humor. She loved music of all kinds and was a gifted piano player. She loved sharing a pot of tea, playing games, taking road trips with her grandchildren and volunteering at the soup kitchen. She appreciated God's gifts and the gifts of the people in her life. The world is better be­cause of her.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, David Lloyd Evans; her son, Lee Evans; his wife, Jennifer and daughter Elisabeth, Berlin, Germany; daughter, Alison Evans Boring, and her three children, Ella, Jack and Anna of Moor­park, CA; her sister-in-law, Mary Marchini and her husband, Davide, Redwood City, CA. Janalee loved her niece Lisa and nephew Gino, their spouses, and their children. Janalee's cousins are Patricia Clingin and Robert Wicker.
She is survived by countless others in her church family and those who were positively impacted by her spirit.
A service will be held to celebrate the life of our dear Janalee on Friday, Oct.16 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary at Colville Com­munity Church. All are invited to attend and remember her and her service to God and her community. A luncheon will follow.
As a young girl, Janalee was helped by the Shriners' Hospital in San Francisco. The assistance they provided al­lowed her to become a child dancer and high school gymnast. Memorial gifts can be made to the Shriners Hospital for Chil­dren or to the Colville Community Church Youth Scholarship fund.
The Danekas Funeral Chapel in Colville is in charge of ar­rangements.
Please visit our on­line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.