Janet Marie (Patterson) McPherson was born on Thursday, May 22, 1947, in Rifle, Colorado, to Garrold Henry Patterson (known as Pa Pa Pat to all the grandkids) and Edith Burdick. She was welcomed into the world by her older brother Gerald and Rochelle. Janet died on May 26, 2021 in Meeker, Colorado.
Janet grew up in Rifle, Colorado, was married and had two children, Rhonda (Troy) Hilkey of Meeker, Colorado, and Raeanne (Cody) Meeker of Kersey, Colorado. Janet remarried in 1970 to Kenneth Warren McPherson. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Oct. 6, 2020. They had a son together, Keith (Melissa) McPherson of Lander, Wyoming. Preceding in death are her parents and brother. Her only surviving sibling is her sister Rochelle Linn of Pineville, Missouri.
Janet also leaves behind four stepchildren: Les (Theresa) McPherson of Grand Junction, Colorado; Carrie (Rich) McGrath of Rock Springs, Wyoming; Tina (Greg) Cobbs of Laveen, Arizona; and Kenny (Misty) McPherson of Rock Springs, Wyoming. She also leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jan was a wife, mother and also worked out of the home. Jan kept books for McPherson Trucking. She worked outside of the home after Keith began school. She worked at the Midland Hotel in Rifle, K-Mart in Glenwood, drove a school bus for the Meeker School District, worked at Valley Motel/Meeker Answering Service, Jiraks Drug Store, Rio Blanco County, child care provider, self-employed: Jan’s Day Care Center, opened her own answering service, then she began working for Rio Blanco County Assessor’s office where she retired. She and Kenny traveled and spent some winters in Arizona, enjoying the weather and each other. Jan loved getting back to her home in Meeker where she could enjoy her family.
Jan volunteered for Range Call for more than 20 years. She was in charge of the Meeker High School Rodeo program for four years, and was on the Fairfield Center Board for many years.
She enjoyed sewing, drawing, painting, crocheting and was an avid reader.
She had a funny sense of humor and always had a smile on her face. She was loved and admired by all she touched in her life.
We will miss you Mom/Grandma Jan. Love, your family!
