Jan Madison, 70

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, heaven gained one of its most extraordinary angels when Jan N. Madison, went to her eternal home. An unmatchable nana, mother, wife and friend, she will be incredibly missed.

Jan was born the 8th of March, 1952, to John and Dorothy Nixon of Muncy, Pennsylvania. Jan joined older sister, Judy and attended grade school and Muncy High School. At the age of 11, Jan lost her father to lung cancer due to his career as a medic in WWII. She spent her high school career as a cheerleader and playing field hockey. During this time, her mother remarried to Walter F. Smith who became a loving and doting stepfather to both girls. Jan then attended Elizabethtown and Keystone College where she earned her degree in primary education. She taught for 5 years at Lairdsville Elementary school in Hughesville as a 1st grade teacher. Jan had also spent her early adult years traveling the world and enjoying all life had to offer to her.

It was by chance that her dear friend Nancy Wallace introduced her to a tall and dark bartender working nights after graduating from Penn State. The two hit it off and dated a short time before Pete followed a friend out west in search of work in the timber industry. It was before a trip for Christmas break that Pete mentioned that maybe she should “bring a dress” with her. The two had discussed a future nuptial, to the extent of reserving a popular hall back in Pennsylvania for the wedding date. When Jan arrived to visit Pete in Montana, he gave her a ring and sealed the deal. Jan bought a Gunne Sax dress, Pete wore a plaid suit and after he got off work, the two met at the church. With only Pete’s best friend Bob and mutual friend “Little Eddie,” a “shotgun” wedding took place on New Years Eve in Kalispell. Complete with a 4-person reception at the old Paul Bunyan Bar.

Jan would relocate to Montana early that following spring. Her first teaching job in her new home would be at Mountain Brook School. There she would teach K-3rd in a tiny two-room schoolhouse. It was 2 years later that they would welcome their first child Nathan John Daniel, who would pass away just hours after birth. Their first daughter, Sarah, joined their lives a couple years later. A year and a half after that, their youngest daughter Lori, was born. During that time, Jan would be offered a teaching position at Cayuse Prairie school where she would spend 37 years teaching, making memories and changing lives of all that knew her.

Jan’s life could be summed up in three words: God, Family and teaching. Jan had unshakable faith. She served for years as a Sunday school teacher, bible study leader and numerous other roles within the church. She had a contagious smile and never let anyone pass without a hello or hug.

Jan’s family was her greatest joy and becoming a nana made it that much sweeter. Raising a family she said, had always been her lifelong dream and her most valued accomplishment. She was a mother to all that knew her and a nana to any child she ever met.

Teaching, however, was her passion. Jan had a career that spanned 42 years and nearly 1,000 children. “Every child wants to learn,” she said. She had a knack for getting kids excited about learning, from dressing up as a character from a book, to field trips, to see wild animals in person. Her efforts were recognized with receiving The Mary Francis Shreeve Award presented to Top Elementary School Educators in 2009 by the University of Montana.

After her retirement in 2017, Jan spent a majority of her time enjoying the things she loved most and volunteering every chance she got. Along with teaching Sunday school on a regular basis, she also served as a greeter before church services where no one would pass without a friendly hello or hug. She also became a Cuddler for the NICU at Montana Children's, a job she was born to do. Not only did she cuddle and sing to sweet infants still in the hospital, she became a staff favorite with her willingness to help anywhere she could. She would often spend time on the children's floor, playing games and most often, reading books. She had the power to entrance a child through a story and bring it to life. Jan also volunteered in the gift shop making flower arrangements. She cultivated this talent through her florist friend, Debbie who she often helped with weddings, events and other celebrations. It was yet another talent she became quite skilled with and enjoyed. Jan was later asked to join the Logan Health Volunteer Board where she proudly served for years. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022, she politely attempted to resign from her position as she felt she wouldn't be able to effectively fulfill her duties as a volunteer for the foreseeable future. She was answered with an “absolutely not” but thank you for asking. She was seen as too valuable to lose and her position would be held until she felt well enough to continue. Unfortunately, she wouldn't get that chance.

She spent the last months of her life fighting breast cancer and lung disease with all she had. She did her best to still do everything she loved and be there for her family, living life to the fullest.

She is preceded in death by her father and mother, John and Dorothy; stepfather, Walter Smith; and son Nathan. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Pete Madison; daughters Sarah (Josh) Peters, Lori Madison; and grandchildren Madison and Brady Peters, all of Kalispell; her sister Judy Rider of Muncy; along with a multitude of extended family and friends that have become family. A special thank you to nurse Gina and respiratory therapist Shilo for their compassion and great care for mom in her final days.

A celebration of life will be held for Jan on Feb. 4 at 11 a.m. at Canvas Church in Kalispell. All are welcome to join in celebrating her monumental life on earth. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Cayuse Prairie School in her honor for a memorial to benefit the school at a later date.