Janice Janette Thornton

Janice Janette Thornton passed away at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake, Washington on Monday September 16, 2019. She was born on September 27, 1942 to Rudolph and Helen Knodel in Ralston Washington. Jan was raised and attended school in Ritzville Washington. She and a girlfriend would go to Moses Lake and watch the cars cruise. That is where she met Joe cruising around in his ‘53 mercury. We love to hear their story. She married her sweetheart, Joe Dean Thornton on August 4, 1961. They recently celebrated their 58th anniversary together. In her younger years, she was very athletic and enjoyed playing softball as a pitcher on Rainier. Enjoyed pickle ball and was on a recreational volleyball team. She also shot pool on a league. She liked fishing which she had taught her daughters at an early age. She loved playing bingo at the bingo halls. Was competitive playing dominoes and cribbage with her neighbor friends. She dabbled in oil paintings and excelled in that endeavor. She was her worst critic, we all loved her work. When she set her mind to something, she was committed 100 percent. Some would consider her as stubborn minded but that was the true Jan. Even during raising her family, she accomplished getting her GED. She was an amazing devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. In her recent years, she loved watching Gonzaga basketball and the Seattle Seahawks. In her travels, she enjoyed going to the casinos and playing the slots. Joe and Jan spent many weekends cruising their street rods to car shows until her health declined. Jan is survived by her husband, Joe Dean and their three daughters: Janet (John) Van Keulen of Moses Lake Washington, Jadine (Ted) Beeman of Moses Lake Washington, Jolene (Hollen) Thornton/Day of Moses Lake Washington. Her grandchildren: Cory Haynes, Corrinne Fisher, CreeAnne (Evan) Cassiano, Jordan (Emeli) Beeman, Taylor Day, Draidyn Thornton/Day, Kristine (Ivan) Medyanik and four great-grandchildren: Gracie, Briayer, Mila and Lincoln and her special long-time friends: Terry, Judy, Kathy, Karen and several others and many nieces and nephews. Jan is preceded in death by her parents: Rudolph and Helen, sister Diane Schell, twin brother Jimmy Knodel, grandson Jonathan Van Keulen As Jan requested, there will be no memorial service. We will always remember her genuine love and the affect she has left on our lives and hearts. We couldn’t be more grateful.

Janice Janette Thornton

September 27, 1942 - September 16, 2019