Onalee June “Connie” Jansen, age 85, passed away peacefully on Sat., August 21, 2010 at Sunrise Assisted Living  in Edmonds, WA. Born Sept 28, 1924 to Bertha and Howard Conklin of Corunna, MI.

She grew up on a dairy farm, graduated from nearby Flushing HS and later Michigan State University with a BA in Home Economics/Nutrition. She then worked as a Dietician at the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) where she met her husband of 62 years, Charles L. Jansen.

She raised a family of six children, was involved in Boy and Girl Scouts, earned a Masters in Education (Biology/Geology) from Northern Illinois University, and taught at Marian Central Catholic HS in Woodstock, IL. She moved with her family to the Bellevue, Washington area in 1969 and taught science for 13 years at Lake Washington HS in Kirkland until her retirement.  In her retirement she helped her husband to establish and run Backpacking Equipment, Inc. in Issaquah as well as to build their own home overlooking Fisherman’s Bay on Lopez Island in the San Juans. They subsequently moved to Anacortes and finally to Sedro-Woolley where she was closer to her children and a member of the Ladies Guild at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. After a spinal injury/accident in 2007 she resided at Where the Heart Is Assisted Living facility in Burlington, WA.

Throughout her life she enjoyed camping and backpacking, gardening, cooking/canning , home remodeling, and sewing/embroidery. She particularly enjoyed travel (especially summer trips to Michigan, ferry trips to Sidney, BC and winter vacations in Hawaii). She especially relished family gatherings, reunions, and social times with friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents , and her sister Donna of Bradenton, FL. She is survived by her sister Joyce McConkey of Midland, MI ;  her brother Bruce Conklin of Corunna, MI ; and in WA state her husband Charles L. Jansen of Sedro-Woolley, and her children (Charles M. Jansen [ Mary Wirta-Jansen] of Redmond ; Dr. Thomas Jansen [Sharon Lewis-Jansen] of Edmonds ; Richard Jansen [Joanie Thompson-Jansen] of Seattle ; Patricia Jansen-Key [Art Key]  of Richland ; Shari Jansen of Kirkland ; and Jeannie  Jansen of Federal Way). She had eleven grandchildren (Nathan, Alex, Anna, Sarah, Katie, Carly, Ryan, Rhett, Alisha, Brianna, and Caitlin). And she had four great-grandchildren (Presley, Mason, Baylor, and Beckett).

Connie instilled her love of the outdoors, the importance of a good education, and a sense of self-sufficiency (her “Golden Hammer Award”) as her legacy to all those her life touched. She was known for her sensitivity, her willingness to listen to others, and her quiet graciousness. She is loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Memorial  contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 12721 – 30th Ave. NE, Suite 101, Seattle, WA  98125.

Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHOM) Catholic Church, 719 Ferry Street, Sedro-Woolley, WA at 9 AM, Saturday, August 28, 2010 followed by a burial service at nearby Union Cemetery and then a “Celebration of Life” reception at the IHOM parish hall. A time of visitation at Lemley Chapel , 1008 Third Street, Sedro-Woolley 98284 will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (8/24-8/26)  from 9 AM – 5 PM and Friday (8/27) from 9 AM -7 PM. For further information please call Lemley  Chapel  at (360) 855-1288. Share your memories of Connie, and sign the on-line guest register at www.lemleychapel.com .