Janet May (Benson) Pruett, 56

Janet May (Benson) Pruett, 56, “went to be with Jesus” after bravely fighting brain cancer on Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012, at her home in Kalispell. 

Janet was the much anticipated little sister in a home with three older brothers when she was born in Kalispell on Sept. 17, 1956, to Elmer and Lulu Benson. 

She was raised on the family farm where her great love of animals began. When she was 8 years old her parents purchased a motel in Kettle Falls, Wash., where she spent the rest of her childhood. She graduated from Kettle Falls High School in 1976. 

Janet married Gene Bolduc (now deceased) in 1978 in Missoula. They later divorced. In 1980, Janet married Steve Landry and they made their home in Washington with their beloved “four-legged kids.”

Janet worked various jobs — in a fruit warehouse, as a caretaker for the elderly, as well as on farms alongside her husband. She enjoyed this work, but her real passion was sewing and making beautiful things for her family and friends, a skill and a gift that she shared with her mother. Every new baby around her received a beautiful blanket from Janet, which are still cherished to this day. 

Then on New Year’s Eve in 1992, Janet received one of the greatest gifts of her life, and wrapped one of her lovingly sewn blankets around her own daughter, Larissa. Her lifelong dream of becoming a mother had come true. Janet's main purpose in life was being a mother, which she fulfilled with complete devotion to Larissa, who was the greatest joy of her life. 

When Janet and Steve later divorced, Janet came home to Kalispell with Larissa to be near her family. In 2000, Janet married Morgan Pruett in a beautiful ceremony at Woodland Park. In 2001, Janet begin working with Morgan in their business, Value Line Maintenance, serving many local businesses. It was work she took great pride in and enjoyed doing until her illness didn't allow her to work any longer.

Janet “was met at the gates of heaven” by her cherished parents, Elmer and Lulu; her infant sister, Carol Ann; her beloved uncles, Jack Benson and Melvin Vestre; her dear friend and cousin, Melanie Stone; and her dear friend, Charlene Stern. 

Janet is survived by her husband Morgan, and her daughter Larissa, of Kalispell; her stepchildren, Delilah Pruett, Morgan Pruett Jr. of Columbia Falls, and Serena and Cory Neal of West Virginia; her brothers, Elmer Benson III, Duane and Edith Benson, and Jerry and Cathy Benson, all of the Flathead Valley; her dear aunts, Emma Vestre and Bonnie Benson; and several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She also leaves behind her precious furry-faced dogs and a small pride of cats.

Janet's greatest loves were her family, friends and animals. She didn't just tell us she loved us, she showed us. She had a big, giving heart and she reached out to everyone. Janet was fun, loyal and compassionate. She loved going to rodeos, concerts, family gatherings, craft bazaars and Christian Women's Connection. If anyone was hurting around her, she was right there with a hug and she'd cry right along with you. 

Janet was courageous and brave; she wasn't afraid to speak her mind, but she always did it in love. There is so much we will miss about her, but particularly her spunk and spirit. This especially came shining through during her illness. She never gave up, even when she could no longer care for herself, her concern was still for all of her loved ones, not herself.

The devotion she had to her husband, daughter and animals came back a thousandfold as they so lovingly cared for her to the end. Her beloved cat, Snickers, would rarely leave the room, just wanting to return all the love she had been given by Janet. We all feel the same. 

Her daughter Larissa said it the best: “Mom's life was like one of the many quilts she made, a patchwork of the things she loved — me and Morgan, her family, her friends and her pets ... and she kept all the stitches together.” 

We would like to thank hospice and the caring staff who was there for Janet and our family.

Visitation will take place from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Johnson-Gloschat Chapel with Pastor Hal Curtiss officiating. Burial will take place after the service at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A potluck luncheon will follow at Swan River Hall in Bigfork. 

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Janet's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Janet's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.