Janice Jahr

Janice “Jan” Jahr passed away peacefully on Sept. 7, 2023, after spending a wonderful day with her family, at St. Vincent Hospital. She was born on Aug. 14, 1937, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to parents Geneva and Melvin Larson. There, she grew up with her parents and younger brother Larry.

Jan pursued her education at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she played the bass clarinet in the concert band. There, she met a tuba player, Carl Jahr, who proved to be the love of her life. They were married June 1, 1957, and enjoyed 63 wonderful years together.

Jan and Carl started their lives together in Rushford before moving to Chisago City, Minnesota, where they started a family. Jan became a dedicated mother of four children: Kim, Tom, Kathie and Bob. The family moved a few more times before settling in Billings in 1975.

Jan dedicated her time to many civic causes, including Landmarks, Moss Mansion Museum, Billings Studio Theater and Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. Carl and Jan spent many years as members of the Yellowstone Country Club, where she was highly involved with the Ladies Golf Association. Many friendships, memorable dinners, weddings, family gatherings, celebrations, rounds of golf and hands of bridge came from their YCC membership.

Jan enjoyed traveling during her life, including annual trips through Yellowstone to Jackson Hole in the summer and trips to Hawaii in the winter. She also enjoyed international trips to Japan, New Zealand and London. Often, she traveled to see family for visits, graduations and milestones. In 2006, Jan and Carl celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by gathering their entire family in Orlando, Florida, for a once-in-a-lifetime trip that will forever be cherished in the minds of their children and grandchildren. One of her favorite destinations was a trip to the Masters in 2019 with her husband and daughter Kathie, which she spoke of often.

In her personal life, Jan was known for her love of hosting, especially around the holidays. Her traditional baking was always a treat, including lefse, other Scandinavian treats, rum cakes and homemade jam. She was often seen sewing and crafting beautiful handstitched items, including Christmas stockings, christening gowns, baby blankets and dresses, treasured and worn by many grandchildren. She spoke often of the achievements of her children, grandchildren, and greatly enjoyed witnessing the birth of yet another generation.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Jahr; her parents, Geneva and Melvin Larson; brother Larry Larson; son Tom Jahr; and grandchildren Stephanie and Sarah Redinbaugh.

She is survived by her children, Kim (Les) Redinbaugh, Kathie (Troy) Dugger and Bob (Lynnette) Jahr; grandchildren Krysten (Dan) Reid, Aaron (Katie) Redinbaugh, Tyler (Sydni) Dugger, Michelle Redinbaugh, Trent Dugger, Danielle Redinbaugh, Mathew (Maddi) Dugger, Melissa Dugger, Anna Jahr and Brady Jahr; six great-grandchildren, Oren, Rayne, Larkyn, Sammi, JJ and Addy.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Vincent’s ICU for their compassion and care during the last couple of months.

A service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, followed by interment at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life for friends and family will follow from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Yellowstone Country Club, 3200 Paul Allen Way, Billings.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Billings Studio Theater.