Janet L. Charlton, 99

We mourn the passing of Jan Charlton, 99, who died peacefully Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Born Janet Louise Amick on November 28, 1924, in Loup City, she is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Carl Amick and Emily (Wanek) Amick, siblings Ellen (Amick) Charlton, and Dr. Frank Amick.

Janet is survived by her children, Jean Louise and husband Jesse F. Oglesby of Laguna Woods, CA; David Richard and Roberta Charlton of Newburg, OR, and Suzanne and husband, Shane Smith of Mt. Vernon, WA. She has four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Jan was born the eldest of three to Dr. Carl and Emily (Wanek) Amick of German/Bohemian heritage in Loup City, a small Polish farming community in Central Nebraska. She graduated from Loup City High School a year ahead of schedule. During her high school years, in addition to assisting her father in his medical practice, she worked on her equestrian skills and developed her keyboard musical talents under the tutelage of her mother, an accomplished pianist in her own right.

Janet attended Stephens College, a private women’s college in Columbus, MO, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She completed her education at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Public Health Certification.

Jan returned to Loup City where she worked for over 20 years at the Sacred Heart Hospital, a 30-bed hospital her physician-father founded. When asked what her duties were, she replied, “Everything! I was the only one there at night!”

She met her husband, Richard “Dick” Charlton in Loup City. Dick and brother Jack moved to Loup City from California at the end of World War II to begin a farming life. Jan and Dick were married September 20, 1947, in Loup City. Dick’s brother married Jan’s sister Ellen and the two families lived side by side on the Turkey Roost Farm for 18 years.

In the early 1960s the farm struggled when beef prices fell. Jan and the children followed Dick to Valentine, in the Sandhills of north central Nebraska. There he pursued a new career with the Farmers Home Administration (FHA) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture making farm loans. Jan gave private piano and organ lessons to 50-plus students over the next 20 years. She maintained friendships with many of her students throughout her life. She was organist in the Valentine Presbyterian Church and played for countless weddings, funerals, and numerous special occasions.

In her sympathy card, one of Jan’s long-time students wrote: “Jan has given me such a treasured gift ~ the gift of music. I have used this gift in so many ways in my life, from playing in church, directing a grade school performing arts class, teaching piano lessons, and, most recently, playing in my mom’s memory care home. I love and admire her so much.”

Jan and Dick built their dream home, the “Funny Farm,” on a small acreage just outside of town, where they lived until Dick’s retirement in 1987. Beginning the third chapter of their life that year, Dick and Jan moved to the retirement community of Leisure World in Laguna Hills, CA. Sadly, Dick died six months later in March 1988, leaving Jan to navigate a foreign landscape on her own.

With the help and encouragement of her children, Jan “reinvented” herself, becoming independent and self-sufficient. In her profound grief over Dick’s death, Geneva Presbyterian Church became her solace, as was her music. Over the next 30 years, she played in the church bell choir and served several terms as a church deacon, calling on homebound parishioners to offer communion and comfort.

Her organ and piano were prominent in her living room and playing gave her immense joy and pleasure. She took private organ lessons and was active in two organ clubs for many years. She loved attending organ seminars, and, thanks to Dick’s wise investments, she was able to upgrade her organ more than once!

Ten years after Dick’s death, she met and developed a close relationship with fellow Leisure World and church member, Robert (Bob) Miller. They married in 1995 and enjoyed six wonderful years together before Bob’s passing in 2001. Jean returned from the Virgin Islands in 2000 to assist Jan in caring for Bob toward the end of his life and stayed on to provide support and companionship for the rest of Jan’s life.

Prior to COVID, Jan and Jean created many wonderful memories of visiting family, camping, and going on European riverboat cruises. Sadly, following COVID, Jan’s health gradually declined. She moved to Verona Court, a residential board and care home in Laguna Niguel in 2021, where she spent most of her time reading. However, she never missed an opportunity to go back to her home when Jean was in town; or when Suzanne and her family, or David came for extended visits.

Jan’s health rapidly declined when she was hospitalized just before her 99th birthday. Although Jan did not live to her 100th birthday, as she always vowed, she lived from 1924-2024, so loosely defined, she did reach her goal!

Jan lived a full and productive life. She was a talented musician and a wonderful, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, cherished by all who knew her. She had an infectious smile, a cheerful outlook, and a heart of gold. She will be sorely missed.

Cremation by Neptune Society. Jean took Janet’s ashes back to the Charlton family plot in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Loup City, for interment. Rev. Dr. Steven Marsh, her minister at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, conducted the graveside memorial service Saturday, June 1, 2024. Donations can be made to Geneva Presbyterian Church. Sympathy cards can be sent to Jean Charlton, 968 Calle Aragon, Unit D, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.