Janice Elayne Jorgensen Werst

Janice Elayne Jorgensen Werst, age 86, died peacefully on December 17, 2024. Her memorial service is set for 11:00 am, March 15, 2025 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 501 East Wallace Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID. A light luncheon follows the service. The family requests no flowers, please.

Jan was born March 11, 1938, in Kalispell, Montana, to James Jorgensen, Jr. and Fern Lillian (Moe) Jorgensen. They subsequently moved to Whitefish, MT when her father began working for the Great Northern Railroad during WWII.

An excellent student and leader, Jan graduated from Whitefish High School in 1956. She worked at Anaconda Aluminum Company in Columbia Falls, MT, becoming office manager and librarian for the chemical and quality control laboratories.

Jan enjoyed boating, bowling, reading and traveling. She maintained her connection with the Order of Rainbow for Girls and joined Beta Sigma Phi, a worldwide sorority for women.

She married Donald Werst on July 13, 1973. His work in the mining industry took them to several western states, to Morocco, and many other foreign countries. Returning to the Pacific Northwest, they settled in Hauser, ID. Jan was active in neighborhood and volunteer activities and worked as a special education aid in the Lakeland schools.

Jan was predeceased by her parents. Survivors include her husband, Don Werst, of Rathdrum; her sister, Mary Beth Jorgensen, of Towson, MD; her niece and nephew, Elizabeth Belt and David Feild, and their families of Baltimore MD; and numerous cousins, including Michael Turner of Kalispell/Spokane, WA and Douglas Turner of Red Lodge, MT.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of North Idaho or a charity of your choice.

Bell Tower Funeral Home and Crematory, Post Falls, ID, handled arrangements.