One Nation, Under God

Dolores Janet Simanton

MALTA- Dolores Janet (Jan) Simanton, 87 passed away October 9, 2018, at Hi-Line Retirement Center. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Kirkwood Memorial Chapel. Cremation has taken place. Condolences for the family may be left at http://www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com

Dolores Janet (Jan) Simanton was born on January 16, 1931, to Alexious P. and Ruby K. Schwalier, in Santa Ana, Calif. Mr. Schwalier died 10 days later and Ruby returned to Harlem, Mont. where her parents lived, bringing her husband and newborn daughter with her. They resided with Ruby's parents, George and Princie Lee Kneedler, until January 1939 when Ruby married Joseph B. Ellis. Three weeks later Joe adopted Dolores. Thinking there would be too many S's in her new name she decided to be called Janet.

Janet attended Harlem schools for 12 years, excelling in music. She was a member of Pep Band, Glee Club, and was the lead in many plays and musicals. She graduated in May 1948 with plans to pursue a degree in music but overwhelmed by the crowded university campus she returned home after only three weeks.

On December 19, 1948, Janet married William H. Simanton in a beautiful ceremony held in the Ellis home in Harlem, Mont. They continued living in Harlem for one year until moving to Malta, Mont. where they raised their five children. They lived and worked for eighteen years on the family farm in Strater community. While working at Action for Eastern Montana, Janet accepted a position in Glasgow, Mont. where they lived until moving to their present home in 1971.

Having grown up working at Ellis Mercantile with her father, Janet enjoyed her years working at Jacobs Plumbing & Heating, Malta Plumbing & Heating and Hardware Hank. She worked at the Hitchin Post and Phillips County Good Samaritan as a dietary supervisor and activities assistant. Janet was a member of the Montana Dietary Supervisors Association, A Charter and Life Member of Phillips County Soroptimists, and volunteered at the Malta Food Bank.

A woman of deep faith, Janet was an active member of the Church of Christ and in later years, the Grace Fellowship Church. She enjoyed Bible study, singing hymns, Silent Night being her favorite, and had a fruit salad ready for any occasion.

The kitchen was the center of Jan's life, whether fixing pancakes, doing her daily devotions or waiting for her family to come home. She enjoyed doll repair, sewing, and quilting, and working in her yard and garden. In the quiet moments of her day, she relished a good cup of tea, reading and word search, and was a connoisseur of everything chocolate. Laughing, singing, and a DQ Blizzard were some of her favorite things. She was a kind and beautiful person who always had room in her heart for more.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Bonnie Jo Lowney, and her husband William (Bill). She is survived by sons Don and his wife Diana, Dale and his wife Dorothy, Doug and his wife Ronda and her daughter Barb and Joe Russell. Grandchildren William, Ian, Shauna Jo, Bannar, Douglas James (DJ), Abby, Guy, Gal, Nolan, and Trey. Great-grandchildren Verick, Wyatt, Amber, Megan, Jim, Autumn, Jade, Dawson, Loren, Ruby Jo, Nevaeh, De'Shana, Adalee, Traxton, Gray and Siva Sophia. and 10 Great-great-grandchildren.

 

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