Janis A. Conklin-Stavig, 76, passed away at home in Anacortes, Wash., Sept. 23, 2014, with family and friends close by, following an inspiring and courageous three-year battle with ovarian cancer.
Born Janis A. Boettcher in Hood River, Ore., she grew up with her twin sister Jean and their older sister Doris on a farm in Carlton. After graduating from Carlton-Yamhill High School in 1956, Jan immediately moved to Portland, got a day job and attended night classes at the Portland Art Museum School, studying fine art. She then studied commercial art at the Advertising Art School in Portland. During this time, she worked for Blue Cross of Oregon as head artist in their art-publication department.
In 1963, Jan married Dick Conklin, a rancher from Cove, Ore., and became a ranch wife.
Together they raised three kids, kept horses and more than 200 head of cattle, and farmed more than 400 acres. Jan drove combine, hayed, rounded up cattle on horseback and sometimes nursed half-frozen, early-born orphaned calves back to health in her utility room. She also taught art in Cove schools and pursued her career as an independent artist.
In 1982, Dick suddenly passed away from heart failure. Jan was immersed in managing the ranch while still working as an artist, raising the kids and helping put the girls through college. During this time, Jan moved across the valley to LaGrande, Ore., in 1984.
Being a “west side” girl at heart, Jan fell in love with and moved to Anacortes in 1989 and got involved in the local art scene.
In 2000, Jan met Charles “Chuck” Stavig at the Edison Eye art gallery and they were married two years later. Jan and Charlie designed and helped build a new home in 2010. This was a totally new venture for her, and one she truly loved.
Jan was predeceased by her sister Doris. Jan is survived by her husband, Charlie, and his sons, Bradford, Brenton and Crane; her sister Jean and her husband, Pete Etchamendy, of Cove; her son, Tim Conklin, of Anacortes, and his children, Shelby, Dustin and Tye; her daughter Lezlie and her husband, James Massey, of Anacortes, and their sons, Nikolaus and Tristan; and her daughter Heather Theny, of Claix, France, and her daughters, Emma and Lucy.
Jan especially wished to express her gratitude to Dr. Theodore Kim for his care and concern and the wonderful and caring staff at the Merle Cancer Care Center at Island Hospital in Anacortes, where she wished any memorial gifts to be sent in her name.
There will be a celebration of life for Jan at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, at the Croatian Cultural Center, Fifth Street and R Avenue in Anacortes.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Jan, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com
