Jane Marie Owens Mende, 84

Jane Marie Owens Mende “made her journey home” on Dec. 12, 2014, comforted by close family in Oceanside, California. She had been battling health issues after a severe stroke in January.

In her 84 years, the impact she left on this Earth is a monument to her life of God's service. She was born in Carlyle, Montana, on Aug. 17, 1930, to Reese and Luella Owens, the youngest and only girl in the family of six children.

Jane married her high school sweetheart, Billie D. Mende, when she was 20 years old and soon started her family. They were happily married for 57 years before she was preceded in death by him, the love of her life, in 2009.

Bill and Jane moved to Kalispell around 1955, where their children grew up. Their sons each moved to California with their young families to find opportunity. In 1989, Bill and Jane also moved to Southern California, which made them closer to their younger grandchildren. They attended all the football, baseball, wrestling and award ceremonies that they could, and made supporting their grandchildren a large part of their life.

Her remaining family is a long list which she would want to be named just as she did every morning in her prayers. She is survived by her brother, Robert Owens of Kalispell; her children, Jim and Maggie Mende of Perris, California, Mike and Sandra Harp of La Quinta, California, Randy and Debbie Mende of Oceanside, Mark and Sandi Mende of Livermore, California, and Mike Mende and Doryl Thompson of Aliso Viejo, California; as well as Jane's grandchildren and their families, Marcey Mende, Rod and Jenny with their children Ryder and Haven Mende, Kelly Pedersen and husband Jonathan Dobson, Reese and Meira with their children Paige, Reagan and Lucas Pedersen, Joe Mende, John and Stephanie with their son Jace Mende, Billie Mende, Jimmy Mende, Riley Mende, Ryan Mende, Tyler Mende, Ryder and Jody with their children Sydney and Joey Harp, Kelly Harp and her children Jude and Divya Smith, and Jason Thompson.

Two departed grandchildren, Bradley Mende and Justin Thompson, “will have greeted her upon arrival.”

Jane was not just a sister, parent, grandparent and great-grandparent, she was also a devoted sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend to many more. She shared her love and service with an extended family that far exceeds in numbers than can be recounted. Jane was a nurse as a young woman until she became a mother. As her children grew, she was heavily involved in church activities, Joy Club, Vacation Bible School, church camps and Bible Study Fellowship, which she was active in for decades until her stroke early this year. She was a spiritual leader to all, and she did so humbly and enthusiastically. She always reminded us to thank God in the good times and to look to him in the bad. Jane always knew the exact right timing to send a note or to visit a friend. She counseled many in their last moments and also bathed and nurtured just as many in their first moments of life. She was a true hero and bright light to all who knew her.

For those who would like to join in the celebration of Jane Mende’s life, she will be buried alongside her husband at 11 a.m. on Jan. 10 at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell, with a service and reception following at noon in the Red Lion's Fireside Room.