Janet Katherine Bourne, 77

Janet Katherine Bourne, 77, passed away in Kalispell on July 8, 2020.

She was born in Kalispell on June 16, 1943, to Howard and Peggy Redpath of Somers.

Janet and her sisters and brother were raised right on Flathead Lake and spent more time in the water than out. She attended Flathead High School, graduated with honors in 1961, and then attended Montana State University at Missoula. She married Dan Bourne in 1965, and worked in banking while he attended University. They moved to Dixon in 1973, where their two daughters were born, and in 1977 moved back to Kalispell.

Janet worked in banks, credit unions, escrow services, and for nearly 30 years as a legal secretary for George Best. She was also a knitting instructor and a volunteer fireman for a time. But her true life’s work was painting little kids’ faces. For over 37 years she painted butterflies, unicorns, Spiderman, or anything they requested of her. Three generations recognized her as the gentle little red-haired lady that painted faces.

Janet was a member of Rainbow Girls, a longtime member of Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead (ACF), and enjoyed taking classes at the Senior Institute at Flathead Valley Community College.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents, sister Connie Stein, and brother-in-law John Morrow.

She will be missed by her husband, Dan, of Kalispell; her daughter, Darshan “Shannie” Heston (John), of Kalispell; her daughter, Corraun Bourne, of Portland; brother, Dennis Redpath, of Kalispell; sister, Randee McAlpin (Wes), of Lakeside and Arizona; brother-in-law, Frank Stein, of Kalispell; grandsons, Jordan Lopaka and Clayton Heston; niece Monica Bradford (Matt), nephew Dennis Redpath Jr., and niece Maren King (Aaron); grandnieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Shriners Children’s Hospitals.

No service is planned at this time, but a celebration of life will be held when the lilacs bloom again.