Janet Angstead Kauffman, 42

Our dear friend Janet Angstead Kauffman died quietly Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, at about 1:30 p.m. at Brendan House, in Kalispell. She was 42 years old with six years sobriety. 

Janet fought endometrial cancer for five years without remission, and outlived her prognosis by 12 months. She endured three chemo treatments, two radiation treatments and multiple surgeries. She accepted her plight and endured unimaginable pain day after day in the hope that she would be cured and go on to live a full and sober life.

She kept her spirits up by attending church, art therapy sessions and AA meetings. Those who knew her will always remember her closing, "I'll shut the hell up and take another 24." 

Janet deeply believed her higher power's plan for her life was to help others. Even in the final stages of her illness she was helping others by volunteering for clinical trials. "I don't want my death to be in vain. Maybe someone else can be cured even if I'm not," she said.

She had dreams of starting a foundation for cancer patients and a website called, "What's So Funny About Cancer." She looked forward to sharing her photography with the world and wanted to write a book about her experience with and recovery from cancer.

Her earnestness and humor will be missed. Her strength in the midst of heartbreaking circumstances was beyond exemplary.

She was preceded in death by her loving father, Dan Angstead, and her husband, John Kauffman, whom she celebrated as her soulmate.

Please join us in a celebration of life and potluck lunch at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, at the Alano Club, 55 First Ave. WN, Kalispell.