Jan Christine (Peterson) Howell

Jan C (Peterson) Howell, age 78, passed away Aug 9, 2022 at Paradise for Parents Assisted Living Home in Surprise, AZ. She was surrounded by love during her last days. Jan was born in May of 1944 to Carl and Vi Peterson and grew up in Vancouver, WA with her twin brother, Jon, and 7 other siblings. Jan married Jimmie Howell in 1965, and enjoyed the perks of being an Air Force wife.

Jan enjoyed her time in Germany when her husband, Jimmie, was stationed at Hahn Air Force Base. The family did sightseeing as part of the volksmarching, and square-dancing events they attended while living in Germany. After moving back to the states, Jan and Jim became foster parents, and fostered a dozen or so kids over the years.

Jan was crafty. She loved to sew, and made most of the square-dancing outfits her family wore. She made quilts for her family, and friends. She even got, her husband, Jim involved in her sewing projects. Jan did paintings, scrapbooking, chocolate molds, Artex Embroidery paintings, Tri-Chem painting, almost anything that involved being crafty.

Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Jan loved the beach, and lighthouses. She was happy walking along the beach, and picking up shells, especially sand dollars. She delighted in going to the Pacific Northwest beaches like Ocean Shores in Washington, but Hawaiian beaches were her favorite. Even though she loved the beach, she did enjoy the desert heat whenever she visited her daughter in sunny Arizona. Jan finally moved to Arizona in 2021 to enjoy the warmer Arizona weather to ease her arthritis, and spend time with her daughter.

Most days, Jan did not go anywhere without her Pepsi, and chocolate Kisses or M&M’s. She always had stashes of chocolate hidden close by. The Arizona heat did not stop Jan from enjoying her chocolate.

Jan leaves behind her three children, Bob (Kristi), Jay (Tracy), Christy (Jeff), and step-daughter, Katherine. Jan has 13 grandchildren, and more than 20 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, and nephews. She is survived by her brothers, Wayne, Glynn, twin brother, Jon (Joan), and her sister, Sharon (Dale).

Jan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jimmie Howell, her parents, Carl & Vi, her sisters, Carol, and Margaret, and her brothers, Gary, and Mitchell.

The celebration of Jan’s life will be held at the Centralia Christian Church on September 24, 2022 at 11:00 AM. The address is: 1215 West Main St., Centralia, WA 98531.

In lieu of flower, the family asks you to consider a donation in Jan’s name to:

Twin Cities Senior Center at 2545 N. National Avenue, Chehalis, WA, 98532

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.surprisefuneralcare.com for the Howell family.