Janis Blair Wiswell, 81

Janis Blair Wiswell, 81, of Thompson Falls, died Jan. 7, 2013, at home, of lung cancer.

She was born May 16, 1931, in the Bitterroot Valley to Edith Taber and Lee Miner Blair, the elder sister to siblings Don and Barbara.

Janis married Warren “Bob” Wilkerson, moved to Kalispell and raised three sons, Mitchell, Robin and Alex; owned and operated a knitting shop, and later retired after 20 years work as the manager of Snappy Service Senter’s gun department.

She married Bob Wiswell in 1974 and together they relocated to Thompson Falls where Janis became active in numerous organizations and community activities, including the Sanders County Historical Society, Meals On Wheels, Toastmasters International, Thompson Falls Congregational Church, the Red Hat Society, area gardening clubs and the Thompson Falls public library.

“Grandma Jan” was especially involved with the Foster Grandparents Organization, and volunteered more than a thousand hours of service to the Thompson Falls Elementary School library, where she assisted teachers and staff with literary programs and worked with students developing strengths and increasing interest in reading.

She is best remembered for her love of books, gardening, volunteerism and her deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ. Janis was an active member of the Thompson Falls Congregational Church.

Janis is survived by sons, Mitch Wilkerson and Karie Wilkerson of Kent, Wash., and Robin Wilkerson and Linda Siderius of Denver; grandson, Nathan Wilkerson, of Portland; granddaughter, Mariah Wilkerson, of Appleton, Wis.;  brother, Don Blair, of Thompson Falls; and sister, Barbara Closson, of Vancouver, Wash.

Janis was preceded in death by her husband Robert Wiswell, and son Alex Wilkerson.

A memorial service is scheduled for June in Thompson Falls.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Sanders County Historical Society-Old Jail Museum, Thompson Falls Congregational Church, or the Foster Grandparents Organization.