Janice 'Jan' J Faltus Obituary (1940

Jan was born on May 12, 1940 in Spokane to Lloyd Baker and Lois Bryan Baker. She passed away on July 14, 2020 in Yakima from Alzheimers and Covid 19. After attending grade school on Spokane, her father was transferred to Seattle where Jan attended middle school and Queen Ann High School. They lived in the Magnolia District. Her father was transferred to Moses Lake before her senior year and she graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1958. While attending the University of Washington, Jan belonged to the Alpha Delta Pi Sorority. After college, she returned to Spokane and worked for AT&T. When the Seattle Worlds Fair opened in 1962, she moved back to Seattle and worked as a hostess in the AT&T Fair Exhibit. After the fair, she worked in downtown Seattle for AT&T Long Lines. Jan met Allen Faltus, her husband of 57 years, at a wedding of each of their closest friends in 1962 and were married on June 16, 1963 in Spokane. They have made their home in Ellensburg from that time on. She worked at Central Washington University as secretary to the director of Food Services until Jeffrey, their first child was born in 1966. In 1970 daughter Jill was born. Jan dearly loved her children and was a terrific mother. She spent those early years of child rearing making sure the needs of her two children got the attention they deserved. She still found time to become an active participant in Allens business of Faltus Motor Company, which later became University Auto Center. Together, they built the KOA Campground located on West I-90 exit in 1970, just in time to open for the Worlds Fair in Spokane. They worked together on numerous properties which they had purchased both downtown Ellensburg that were used in the Faltus Motor Company and additional recreational investment properties in the county. Jan and Allen spent more than several decades enjoying their vacation homes at Snoqualmie Pass and Sun River Oregon. Jan became an avid skier along with the children and her husband. She loved to spend time skiing on Snoqualmie Pass with their lifelong friends who introduced Jan to Allen at their wedding in 1962.Both families owned condos and made many memories skiing with their children. Later, Jan and Allen enjoyed biking and water sports at their Sun River home. Both Jan and Allens extended families had some homes there so all the children grew up playing with their cousins and enjoying aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Until five years ago, Jan and Allen spent the retirement winters together in Rancho Mirage, CA. By that time, even though she missed skiing, she didnt miss the snow and cold winters one bit. Jan was an active member of PEO and served as president in 1970. She was a long-time member of Study Club and a lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church. She belonged to several small Bridge groups and enjoyed the game and her friends., For many years she was active in Ellensburg Rodeo activities while Allen served on the Rodeo Board. She served as Chaperone on the 1966 Rodeo Court and even introduced Queen Heidi Vaughn to her brother Lloyd and the two later married. She and Allen were members of Rigadoon Dinner-Dance Club for many years and the Ellensburg Convertible Club. She is survived by her husband Allen, son Jeff Faltus (Carol) of Ellensburg and Jill Thompson (Ted) of Cle Elum and two granddaughters, Elizabeth Thompson of Ellensburg and Jennifer Johnson of Cheyenne, Wyoming. Her two brothers, Lloyd W. Baker (Heidi) of Sun River, Oregon, and Douglas R. Baker (Elaine) of Belfast, N. Ireland, sister-in-law Eleanor Faltus Prichard and many nieces and nephews. Jan was loved by her many friends locally and around the West most of all by her husband and family. Due to Covid 19 restrictions private graveside services will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Jans name to the Alzheimers Foundation, 19031 33rd Ave W., Ste 301, Lynnwood, WA 98031.