Cheri R. Jansen

Cheri Rae (Seifert) Jansen of Shelby, Montana passed away peacefully on October 24, 2023, in Missoula at the age of 72. Cheri was a lifelong resident of Shelby, but had recently been transported to Missoula for medical intervention after a long struggle with pain and a persistent infection following a hip fracture.

She was born in Great Falls on December 19, 1950. She spent her early years with two very proud parents, Tom and Dorothy Seifert on the family homestead outside of Shelby. Shortly thereafter, the family moved into town and she was blessed with two brothers and two sisters. As a child, Cheri was surrounded by a very large and loving extended family. She graduated from Shelby High School in 1969.

Cheri met and fell in love with Pete Jansen and they were married on April 25, 1969. Together, they remained in Shelby where they raised three wonderful boys, Joe, Jay, and Jeff. The couple spent the lion’s share of their time following their boys to many sporting events in their big station wagon or camping around Montana. Wrestling matches, football games, and any school event with her boys brought Cheri great joy and built many fond memories. Pete and the boys were incessant hunters, and a favorite part of those trips were the lunches Cheri so lovingly packed.

After raising her boys, Cheri and Pete continued to travel and enjoy any event their boys or grandchildren were involved in. Across town, or across the state, it was rare for them to miss an event. When not chasing her kids or grandkids, Cheri enjoyed planning family events, baking, garage sales, camping and fishing at Tiber Reservoir, and going to her beloved Walmart.

Cheri worked as a waitress, bartender, and manager at two local bars in Shelby. Later, she moved to the Shelby Court House where she first worked in the Treasurer's Office and later in the Assessor’s office. The thing that brought her most joy in any of her jobs was her work with the public. She enjoyed the people she worked with and the customers who came by the bar or office. 

Cheri “never met a stranger”, and her family grew any time someone was in need. She deeply enjoyed feeding everyone and giving them special food to take home after a big gathering at her home. It wasn’t unusual to be sent home with a loaf of banana bread or some cookies. Christmas Eve clam chowder was always a treat with the extended “family” who were always welcome to come and share.

Survivors include her husband, Pete Jansen of Shelby, her two sons, Joe of Missoula and Jeff (Kevin) of Portland, her two sisters Darla (Bob) Winney of Shelby and Donna (Rich) Shuff of Mead, CO, her two brothers Butch (Sharon) and Dan, both of Columbia Falls, brother-in-law, John (Gloria); as well as her three grandchildren, Blaine, Sarah, and Taylor.

She was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Dorothy Seifert and her beloved son, Jay Jansen.

Services will be held at the United Methodist Church in Shelby at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 3rd, 2023.