Janet Nancy Watson

Janet N. Watson, 81, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away Friday, October 12, 2018. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, November 16, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Walter Klockers officiating.

Janet was born August 13, 1937 in Mason City, Washington to the late J. Sumner and Elinor S. (Hopfer) Smith. She was raised in Coulee Dam, Washington, attending the Coulee Dam Public Schools until her parents moved to Alaska in October of 1953. She attended High School in Palmer, Alaska for one and a half years. Janet moved back to Coulee Dam to live with her sister, Patricia, and brother-in-law, Jack Barnard, graduating from Coulee Dam High School in 1955. She met Dale E. Watson of Wilbur, Washington at a dance the summer of 1954 and they were married in Grand Coulee, Washington on December 10, 1955. They made their home in Moses Lake, Washington as Dale was employed by Pacific Northwest Bell.

Janet was a homemaker and mother of three daughters. In 1965 Dale was transferred to and moved the family to West Valley, Yakima, Washington. She was involved in many of her daughter’s activities as a leader for Campfire, Blue Birds, 4-H, coaching a softball team, teaching Sunday School, and being active in PTA. In 1971 Janet went to work outside the home at Wide Hollow Elementary School, Yakima, Washington as a library aide. The family then moved back to Moses Lake in 1978 where in 1982 she was employed by the Moses Lake School District as an aide, serving as a monitor in the detention room. She took on additional duties in 1983 as a computer operator for the school district. Janet continued to stay active bowling, serving as officer of the local TOPS club, sewing, crafts, and her miniature doll house. Upon retiring, Janet and Dale bought a fifth-wheel trailer and began an annual ritual of heading South to warmer climates each winter until 2001. Her family, and church gave her the most joy.

Survivors include her three daughters; Laura R. (Andrew) Kuprat of Richland, Washington, Kelly L. (Larry) Kvam of Sandy, Utah, Dawn M. (Scott) Smith of Spokane Valley, Washington; a sister Patricia A. (Jack) Barnard of Coulee Dam, Washington; 5 grandchildren, Derek S. (Tristen) Larson of Bentonville, Arkansas, Joshua R. (Hannah) Shimmin of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Kirstin M. (Carson) Huiskamp of Salt Lake City, Utah, Katherine R. Kvam of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Emma J. Kuprat of Richland, Washington; 5 step-grandchildren, Valarie (Steve) Perry, Alison (Ken) Brown, Nathan (Kristy) Smith, Lindsey (Christian) Fluaitt, and Kyle (Corrina) Smith; 3 great-grandchildren and 10 step great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, of 44 years, Dale E. Watson, and sister Barbara J. Fisher.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.