Janis M. Kirkpatrick, 84, of Boise, Idaho died Tuesday, March 19, 2019, of complications of diabetes. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m., April 18, 2019, at Hillcrest Assisted Living Center, 1093 S. Hilton Street, Boise, Idaho.
Janis was born on July 5, 1934, in Clearwater, Nebraska, the youngest of four children to parents Guy Will and Mary Agnes (Petty) Patrick. She lived and grew in Nebraska until the family moved to Fruitland, Idaho. Jan worked at various temporary jobs throughout her life including the Ontario Argus Observer, Ore-Ida Packing, and Falk’s I.D. in Ontario, Oregon, physical therapy assistant, in Buena Park, California. She volunteered at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Boise, and reading to day care kids in Scappoose, Oregon.
Janis loved the beach, any beach, whether it was in Oregon, California, or the Gulf of Mexico where she and her husband Bob lived or travelled. She loved to travel, see new places and just get in her car to see what was out there. Added joy came from going to the ball park to watch the California Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers play. She loved going to church and got much comfort in her love of her Lord. Above all she loved people…especially her friends and family. She loved her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great granddaughter and was always thrilled when each new baby came into her life, even if they lived far away and may never have gotten to meet them in person.
When she got older and could no longer drive and be free to go wherever she wanted, it was very hard for her. She missed getting into her car and just driving around especially if it ended up with her getting a cheeseburger, fries and a coke. Losing that independence and freedom often made her feel sad and lonely. Her friends at Hillcrest helped ease that loneliness and the family will be eternally grateful to them.
Survivors include her daughters, Connie (Kim) Duering, Star, ID; Cathy (Fred) Genther, Boise, ID; and her son, Curt (Liz) Mahan, Meridian, ID. Jan had 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great great granddaughter. She is also survived by her brother, Duane (Almeta) Patrick, Meridian, ID and a nephew that was only 2 weeks younger that she, whom she always through of as another brother, Gary Launt, Boise, ID and numerous nieces and nephews throughout the western states.
Janis was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Genevieve Launt and Donna Pilakowski and her husband, Robert Kirkpatrick. Cremation was under the direction of Bowman Funeral Chapel. Memorials are suggested to be made to the charity of your choice.
