Janis Geneva Durance's Obituary
Janis Geneva (Peterson) Durance 99 of Tacoma, Washington passed away on 27, January 2021. Janis was born to Konrad Berteus Peterson and Cora Berg Peterson on September 9, 1921 in Hamlet, North Dakota; the family moved to Gig Harbor, WA in 1928.
She was the oldest of 14 children; Janis Durance (William), Alys Hopkins (Harold), Eileen Jarrett (Jerry), Klarion Peterson (Lois Grace), Orlando Peterson (Dorothea), Marvin Peterson (Shirley), Patricia Easley (Henry), Lois Gnegy (Bob), Gail Horner (Virgil), Eunice Christian (John), David Peterson (Connie), Marianne Peterson (Infant Passing), Kathleen Hugo (John), Konrad Peterson (Sandi).
Janis attended Arletta School 1st through 8th grade and Gig Harbor Union High School 9th through 12th; awarded the penmanship award upon graduation in 1939.
After high school, Janis moved to Tacoma to attend Business College. Upon graduation she began working at the Auditor's Office before she married her Marine in 1944 and followed Willie to California where he was stationed. Upon his discharge they moved to Tacoma, then on to Juneau, Alaska and later back to Tacoma.
They raised 7 children, William Edward Durance Jr. (Mary), Janis Naomi (Larry), Daniel Joan Durance, Benjamin Gail Durance (Deborah, Phillip Konrad Durance (Janet), Sharon Rose Dean (Matt) and Marcia Lorene Chamberlain.
They had 17 Grandchildren:
Kim Kelly (Tom), Scott Durance (Sarah), Bobby Cyr (Kristi), Jennifer Carignan (Alan), Lindsy Sturgis (Percy), Dana Haberman (Mike), Tracy Geiss (Eric), Julie Durance (John), Amanda Powell (Brandon), Christine Durance DeBoer, Melissa Dahmen (Kirk), Christopher Durance (Nichole), Anne Bowman (Scotty), Angela Nieves (Rafa), Michael Marcello, Robert Chamberlain (Kim), David Chamberlain (Sandra).
29 Great-Grandchildren:
Ericka, Ethan, Seth, Logan, Courtney, Emma, Jacob, Liam, Charlotte, Jeremiah, Remi, Sean, Tavia, Jordan, Kaylee, Ryan, Jordyn, John Abigail, Jaelyn, Emery, Jude, Isabella, Gabriella, Luciana, Haylie, Madison, Alexis, Jacob.
5 Great-Great-Grandchildren:
Adelaide, McKenna, Louis, Anastasia, Titan.
There are over 200 descendants from the Peterson Clan Starting with Janis having the first Grandchild.
Janis was a member of the Lakeshore Christian Church, her Bible studies, cards for the sick and the Church potlucks she surely enjoyed.
Janis loved her family get togethers, 4th of July parties and the annual Durance Christmas parties. The children will be ever blessed to have these memories of; singing songs, scripture readings, playing bingo. We first started playing bingo with beans and paper cards, then purchased the bingo machine and the bingo cards; we were "big time" then.
We would like to acknowledge her dear friend Deb Babara for her constant love and devotion toward Momma Janis as she called her.
Janis was known for her beautiful smile, her kind personality, her sense of humor, and her love for family and her Lord.
"In lieu of flowers" donations may be sent to South Lakeshore Christian Church 1740 S 84th St Tacoma, WA 98444.
What’s your fondest memory of Janis?
What’s a lesson you learned from Janis?
Share a story where Janis' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Janis you’ll never forget.
How did Janis make you smile?