Janis K. Erickson

Janis Katherine (Best) Erickson passed away peacefully at the age of 96 and went to her heavenly home on December 20, 2015. Janis was born in Kansas City, Mo. to Charles and Martha Best. After living in Kansas City and then Vancouver, BC, Janis and her mother moved to Everson, WA where she spent her growing up years. Her mother owned the Everson Hotel and Janis helped whenever possible. She enjoyed roller skating and playing tennis. She graduated from Mt Baker High School and then attended business school in Bellingham. She worked at the Kale Canning Company and then became the secretary to the manager of Puget Sound Power and Light Company. Janis married Lawrence (Larry) W Erickson on June 7, 1947. Janis was primarily a homemaker but helped periodically in the office of the company she and Larry started, Overhead Door Company. She was an active lady volunteering at her daughter’s school and at their church. She was a member of Kiwaniannes, United Commercial Travelers, Elks Club and Bellingham Yacht Club. She and Larry attended Triumph Lutheran Church in Ferndale and then later attended Birchwood Presbyterian Church. Janis loved to dance and play golf until arthritis prevented her from continuing. Janis and Larry enjoyed traveling to many places, both domestically and overseas. They were “snow birds” and spent 4-5 months for many years at their place in the Palm Springs, CA area. Janis was a loving, caring and giving woman and a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her family was everything to her. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 59 years. Janis is survived by her daughter Kae and husband Bill Unrein, granddaughter Megan (Jesse) Unrein-Morris, granddaughter Erica Unrein and great grandchildren Hayden and Jaxsen Pitner, Vaughn Morris and Malia Morales. The family wishes to thank Hospice for the care they provided Janis the last days of her life. The family would also like to recognize and thank Mt Baker Care Center and their staff for the wonderful care and love they showed Janis. They are real “angels.” Memorials may be made to Birchwood Presbyterian Church or Hospice. A memorial service is being planned for Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 3PM at Birchwood Presbyterian Church.

Janis K. Erickson

July 24, 1919 - December 20, 2015