Janice Fay Lathen

Janice Fay Lathen
April 3, 1945 – January 19, 2018
Janice Fay Lathen, age 72, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19th 2018 at her home.
She was the middle child of three, born April 3rd 1945 in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Jesse Wade and Shirley Nell Cline. Her older brother is Jess Cline and her younger sister is Judi Johannesen.
The family moved to various towns in Oregon as her father worked in the lumber industry. She spent her childhood in Myrtle Creek, Oregon and they settled along the Oregon coast in Bandon and Gold Beach during her youth. She grew up in a loving home and that is where she developed a love for learning and for children. Janice was Queen of Job’s Daughters as a youth and she was valedictorian of her 1963 graduating class at Gold Beach High School.
After she graduated from Gold Beach High she attended Oregon College of Education in Monmouth, Oregon, which is currently named Western Oregon University. While attending college she was accepted into “Who’s Who in Small American Colleges.”
She worked closely with children her entire life as an elementary teacher, mother, aunt, grandmother and in multiple church positions as well. Her life was dedicated to the service of others and she could really light up a room with her smile and laughter. The last school she taught at was Allendale Elementary School as a 3rd grade teacher. She retired from Grants Pass School District in 2004. Upon retirement, she devoted her time and passion to serving her children, grandchildren and traveling the world with her husband, Ken Lathen of 51 years. Together in retirement they devoted more of their time to service within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
She loved her husband, family, extended family, friends and all that she worked with over the years in school, church and the community of Grants Pass. Most importantly she loved our Savior, Jesus Christ and exemplified it in all she did and how she interacted and helped others.
Janice and Ken spent their last few years working heavily in genealogy. They recently spent a year in Salt Lake City, UT serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints working in the Family History Library. In doing so, they helped so many learn and discover the art of family history and the blessings found within our personal heritage.
Survivors include husband, Ken Lathen; 2 daughters, Jodee (Scott) Crowley and Lori (Tad) Sharum; two sons, Ryan (Stephanie) Lathen and Erik (Ginger) Lathen; 9 grandchildren Brinlee, Sam, Ben, Millie, Benner, Lucy Belle, Maggie Mae, Rigby and Weston; brother, Jess (Cindy) Cline and sister, Judy Johannesen.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father.
Janice was an amazing, kind and thoughtful person. She was a very caring and loving wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend. Her gentle spirit and love for all will be greatly missed.
A viewing will be held at 10am and a service at 11am
Saturday, January 27th
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
1969 Williams Hwy, Grants Pass, Oregon 97527
Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements