Janis Anderson Padfield

Loving Mother, Grandmother, Aunt and dear friend, Jan Padfield passed the portals of mortality and stepped into eternity March 21st, 2020.
Born on New Year’s Day, 1925 in Bothwell, Box Elder County, Utah, she was the sixth of seven children born to Hans and Hazel Anderson. In 1928, the family moved to Summit County where Jan was a talented student and where she developed what became her lifelong love of geography, history, drama and especially literature. She was extremely popular, both with adults and her fellow students, graduating from North Summit High School in 1943. She was working as a clerk in the Summit County Court House when Staff Sergeant L. Max Padfield came in to have his U. S. Army separation paperwork processed. They started dating and were married in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple on March 19th, 1948 during one of the worst blizzards in years. Settling into their lives together, Jan and Max lived in numerous areas in the intermountain west including Denver, Colorado; Alamo, California as well as Coalville, Murray and Holladay. In 1962, Jan told Max she was never moving again and they hung out the “DUNROAMIN” sign in front of the Holladay house that would be home for their family for the next 56 years.
Jan is a remarkably talented and passionate soul. She is deeply proud of her Scottish and Danish heritage cemented in LDS Pioneer legacy. She worked several jobs throughout her life helping to support her family, jobs that have included clerk, secretary, police dispatcher and newspaper writer. But a chance encounter in 1972 led her to one of her life’s true passions, that of traveling as a tour director. That was a stepping stone to what would subsequently become an extraordinarily successful self-owned business that thrived for more than 30 years. Her intensely loyal band of clients loved traveling with Jan, who took them to adventures in the United States and to numerous destinations across the world. In addition to her love of travel, Jan was a vibrant gardener, artist, historian, writer and orator. She found immense joy in the arts and received peace and happiness when she was in her gardens.
Surviving Jan are her children, Jonathan (Trish) Padfield of Vienna, VA; Dr. James Padfield of Kirksville, MO; Christian (Suani) Padfield of Coalville and Marianne Christensen of Murray, plus six grandchildren, and one soon to arrive, whom she loves very, very much. There are also several beloved nieces and nephews who have spent countless hours helping watch over her as she did with them in previous years.
The family is deeply grateful to the Sunrise Assisted Living Care facility team, led by Rachel Jensen and Kari Wahlquist and also to her wonderful hospice nurses, Noemi, Meggan, Cindy and Jayme for the remarkable and loving care they provided Jan in the decreasing days of her life. A special word of thanks to Jill VanDyken and Leora Brockbank, loyal and devoted friends and neighbors.
A private graveside ceremony will be conducted at the Coalville City Cemetery and a Memorial Service will be held at a future date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Memorial Holladay~Cottonwood Mortuary.