Janet Voldal

March 20, 1934 – November 17, 2023

Jan was born on March 20,1934, the second child of Eva and Erling Voldal. Her childhood years were spent in and around the Corps of Engineers project at the Fort Peck Dam in northeastern Montana. Her father was a school administrator and her mother was a teacher. Jan graduated from Glasgow High School in 1952 and from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in 1956.

Following graduation, she worked as a high school physical education teacher and coach of women’s sports in Western Minnesota, Nebraska and eventually in Turlock, California before joining the staff at Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington.

Jan was married to Marlow Hanson and they lived in Western Washington where she was employed at the Lutheran Bible Institute for several years. Although Jan and Marlow’s marriage dissolved, they remained great friends until his passing. She lived with her mother for many years in Bellevue Washington, eventually becoming the primary caregiver so her mom could live out her days in the comfort of home. After her mother’s passing, Jan moved to Vancouver Washington where her sister JoAnn was living at the time.

Jan’s life passion was golf. She was a member of the LPGA and played in and won several tournaments throughout her golfing career. She coached the women’s college team at Whitworth and after coaching and playing was employed as a golf pro at courses in the Seattle area. She was also known to take a dollar or two off of the men who were convinced they could beat her. In Vancouver her home was in a retirement community on a golf course where she enjoyed playing many rounds with family and friends. She met Doug Spencer later in life and they had a commitment ceremony before family and friends. Together they enjoyed many great travel adventures and day to day life before his passing.

She was a gifted musician playing the cornet/trumpet and euphonium with various bands for many years. She was also a talented artist who especially enjoyed working with her hands and focused on fine woodworking. She loved the wilderness. She enjoyed hiking, camping and an occasional dip in a freezing cold mountain stream.

Jan always prioritized spending time with family, friends and participating in the Lutheran Church community. She had a great sense of adventure and humor and often a bit of mischief was had in the name of fun. She was an amazing sister, aunt and friend who was able to make everyone smile and was an especially kind and loving person.

She is survived by her sister JoAnn Hylland and brothers Dick Voldal and Rolf Voldal; as well as nephews and nieces – Mark (Paula) Hylland, Mike (Jodi) Hylland, David Hylland, Lori (Mick) Nuno, Kristen Voldal, Eric (Julia) Voldal, John Voldal, Dan (Katie) Voldal, Karen Voldal and brother-in-law Ron Hylland, sisters-in-law Phyllis Voldal and Joyce Voldal.

She will be remembered not only for her great golf swing, but her exceptional dedication to family, friends and God and will be sorely missed.