Jean (Jan) Ann Beamer

Jean Ann Nordahl Beamer (Jan) passed away peacefully at home March 27, 2023, at age 93. She was born in Iowa and moved to Seattle at a young age with her parents Hamlin Nordahl and Bertha Oyer, older brother Vincent, and older sisters Shirley and Connie. She met her husband Elbert Monroe Beamer (Elbie) in high school. As a teenager she worked at a drugstore lunch counter and was inspired to go to college, a first in her family, in order to pursue a career as a pharmacist. She graduated from the University of Washington and became a licensed pharmacist.
Jan and Elbie married in 1952. After Elbie completed his divinity degree in Berkeley, CA, they built a beautiful home in Seattle on Lake Washington. They had three children: Karen, Eric, and Krista. Boating, swimming, fishing, waterskiing, and entertaining family and friends were big parts of life. Family vacations, at least two per year and often shared with other families, were highlights, consisting of various combinations of hiking, skiing, boating, and camping. Jan was an excellent cook and also enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, and painting.
In 1968, Elbie began course work for his PhD at Syracuse University, so Jan and family moved for three years to Fabius, in rural upstate NY, where Elbie was church pastor while in school. After that they lived for a number of years in rural Whatcom County, WA, and were active in the Laurel Baptist Church. The children attended and graduated from the Meridian School District. They then returned to Fabius and Jan began collecting and refinishing antique furniture, for herself and as gifts. She began oil painting the local landscapes, and later painted seascapes from photos she took. In the early 1990’s, Elbie retired and he and Jan returned to Fairhaven, Bellingham, in beautiful Pacific Northwest Washington. Jan helped Elbie restore and crew a vintage cabin cruiser, Glory Days, through the San Juan Islands and beyond. The family overnight boat camping trips with children and grandchildren were truly special.
Jan made many friends in every place she lived. She also maintained lifelong relationships with members of her own, and Elbie’s, extended families. She enjoyed keeping in touch with letters, cards, phone calls, and hosting out-of-town guests. Jan was grateful to be a part of the lives of her grandchildren and great-
grandchildren. She attended many of their sporting events and performing arts programs. She also loved picnics and parties.
Jan was predeceased by Elbie in 2016. She said, “I believe that I was fortunate to have loved this special person and I was loved by him.” She was an amazing and strong caretaker for her special person in his later years. Jan had no desire to move from her Fairhaven home. As she became less active, she enjoyed reading
biographies, birdwatching, visits, dining out, and phone calls with friends and family.
Jan is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren: Krista Beamer (Gil); Karen Parks (Kevin), their son Brian (Sara) and daughter Eileen; Eric Beamer (Connie), their three daughters Carrie Beamer (Mitch); Jana Fredriksen (Eric “Fredo”) and their three daughters Kikkan, Annie, and Mary; and Joanie Vander Giessen (Shane), their son Baker, daughter Nova, and son Jubal.