Janis Nickerson Adams-Issak passed away peacefully after a sudden illness on February 26, 2012, surrounded by family. Janis was born in Wallace, Idaho on June 29, 1948, the third of four children. She was a tomboy who hiked and camped in her beloved Idaho Mountains, but she was also a girlie-girl who always left the house without at least her lipstick on. She was very active in clubs at Wallace High School and enjoyed being a cheerleader.
Jan spent many years in Edmonds, Washington, Santa Rosa, California and Bend, Oregon, where she raised her beloved children, David Adams of Bend, Oregon and Rebecca Adams-Gage of Bellevue, Washington. Jan and Becky were more than mother and daughter; they were best friends who shared all the ups and downs of life as a team during long talks and walks, shopping and many card games. Jan and David enjoyed attending rodeos and tending horses. Jan was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend – so supportive, truly accepting and loving to all. Her two beautiful and special granddaughters, Brittney and Kylie Gage (Rebecca), brought her much happiness; they were her favorite shopping buddies and her greatest source of joy!
Jan worked in the dental field in many roles for over 40 years and was highly respected in her field, winning many awards and the respect of her co-workers. Outside of work, she had many interests including making friends, traveling (especially to Mexico), PEO, golfing, hiking, playing cards, attending fairs, rodeos and sprint car races and of course, riding horses. She moved to Bend, Oregon fulfilling a lifelong dream to have a horse of her own that she could ride whenever she wished. She returned to Osburn, Idaho in 2011 to care for her mother and spent the last months of her life back in her favorite place on earth, getting reacquainted with the friends of her youth.
Surviving siblings are Darlene Nickerson McKim (Greg) of Tigard, Oregon and Jim Nickerson (Hilary) of Chatsworth, California; her nieces, Bryn McKim Wilson (Terry) of Beaverton, Oregon, Eryn McKim Wettlaufer (Rob) of Portland, Oregon; and her nephews, Dan Nickerson of Encino, California, and Matt Nickerson of Oakland, California. She was predeceased by her father, Norman Nickerson, her mother, Norma Nickerson McGatlin, and her brother, Jack Nickerson.
A celebration of Jan’s life will be near her birthday on June 24th 2012 at 2:00pm at Summerfield Golf and Country Club– Clubhouse, 10650 SW Summerfield Drive, Tigard, Oregon 97224.
If you wish, memorial donations accepted at Evergreen Hospice at 12040 Northeast 128th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034-3013 or National Cancer Coalition at www.nationalcancercoalition.org.