Jan Westermann

Jan was born in Sioux City, Iowa, on May 18, 1949, to Dale and Helen (Funkhouser) Bard. The eldest of three daughters, she grew up in several Iowa communities as her father, a schoolteacher, was frequently relocated.

During her first year of college, Jan traveled from Iowa to California in December 1967 to work for Dick Westermann’s Santa business. There she met his son, Jim, and the two quickly fell in love. After just two weeks of dating, Jim proposed. Jan returned to the Midwest to continue college and to break the news to her family. Jim followed to Iowa with an engagement ring on Valentine’s Day weekend and returned several weeks later to marry Jan on April 27, 1968. They were endlessly devoted to one another and celebrated 54 years of marriage before Jim’s passing in 2022.

In 1970, Jan and Jim welcomed their first daughter, Jaimi Brooke, and in 1995 adopted, Natalya Janelle (Jani) and Irina Joy from Kotlas, Russia.

Jan was a devoted schoolteacher for decades, teaching in both Texas and Washington. While living in Texas, Jan and Jim volunteered together with Youth For Understanding, an international exchange program for high school students. They hosted many students from around the world and loved the privilege of doing so. They formed lasting relationships with many of them and especially remained close with Topi Paananen from Finland, who became family and has remained a loving presence in their lives. Jan’s final years in education were spent teaching at Whatcom Middle School.

Throughout her life, Jan loved to travel, taking Jim, her family, and friends on many adventures. Road trips across the United States, RV camping near and far, cruises on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and visits to several European countries brought her great joy. Jan especially loved any destination with a sandy beach, and any trip that involved seeing family and friends was particularly meaningful. After Jim’s passing, Jan continued her adventures, traveling with her sisters, daughters, grandchildren, and friends.

When at home, Jan enjoyed reading with a good cup of tea. She loved working in her garden and occasionally assigning Jim a new landscaping project. Her yard is filled with rhododendrons, hydrangeas, irises, lilacs, and tulips, along with her favorite deck plant: geraniums.

In her early twenties, Jan was diagnosed with cancer for the first time. Unfortunately, it returned time and again. Through decades of health challenges, Jan remained determined to live a full and meaningful life. Her strength and perseverance during difficult seasons were admired by everyone around her, and she walked alongside many others in their own cancer journeys, offering encouragement and support. On February 5, 2026, Jan was diagnosed with glioblastoma. The mass was too large to remove, and Jan chose to spend her final months in the comfort of her home of 27 years. She deeply appreciated the many friends and family members who came to visit and felt loved and blessed by those who gave their time to be with her.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Helen Bard; brother-in-law George Arthur Westermann; and the love of her life, Jim Westermann. She is survived by her daughters, Jaimi Brooke; Natalya “Jani” Snell (Zach); and Joy Westermann (Anthony Bailey); grandchildren James Munro (Shannen), Sarah Hartzell-Westermann, Katya Snell, and Dmitry Snell; great-granddaughter Elizabeth Munro; sisters Julee Harter Lloyd (Doug) and Keri Noel (Kent); brother Jack Robnett (Judy); brother-in-law William “Bill” Westermann (Teresa); and son-in-her-heart, Topi Paananen (Marika).

A memorial celebration of life will be held May 2, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Northlake Community Church, 1471 McLeod Road, Bellingham, Washington. All are invited to attend.