Janet (McAlpine) Thielen

Janet McAlpine Thielen as born on March 14, 1923 in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to Jeanne (Harvie) and John McAlpine.  She died in Yakima, WA on September 17, 2014 after an extended illness.

Janet’s childhood was spent in Sunburst, Montana.

In 1941 she married Grover Pace and they had two children, Gary Pace and Randy Pace.  They later divorced.  Janet married Ralph Gibbons and they had a son Dale Gibbons.  They divorced.  She married the love of her life, Russ Thielen, in 1959.  Their daughter Jeanne was born in 1962.  Russ and Janet lived in Washington until the time of her death.

Russ and Janet were partners in an orchard topping business in Washington.  Janet was an avid reader, and enjoyed hosting teas at the local Yakima library.  Janet cultivated a lovely rose garden and collected art.  She also loved traveling and researching genealogy.  She was very proud of her Scottish heritage.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jeanne and John McAlpine, three sisters, Margaret Sveum, Bessie Bielen and Mabel Neva.  She is survived by husband Russ Thielen, brother, Bob (Vonnie) McAlpine, brother-in-law Bud Bielen, children Garry (Gerry) Pace, Boulder MT; Randy (Sharon) Pace Yakima, WA; Dale (Liz) Gibbons, Riverside CA and Jeanne Miller, Nampa, ID.

She is also survived by grandchildren, Janet Pace, Allen (Albina) Pace, Ben (Stacey) Pace, Maria (Fritz Bieler) Pace, Pete (Patty) Pace, Randy Jr. (Donna) Pace, Rolland Gibbons, Ashley Miller, Dylan Miller, and step-grandchildren, Chasity (Tommy), Todd (Trina) Pomerenke, and Renee (Scot) McElrea.  She is survived by 20 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Pallbearers are her grandsons, Allen Pace, Ben Pace, Pete Pace, Randy Jr. Pace, Rolland Gibbons and Dylan Miller.

A graveside service will be held in Sunburst, Montana on Saturday, September 27 at 11 am.  A luncheon will follow at Sunburst Methodist Church Hall.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitted Funeral Chapel, Shelby.