Jan Freestone

Jan Freestone, 57, passed away Tuesday, September 20,2011, at her home in Hansen, Idaho, after a courageous two year battle with cancer. She was born January 26,1954, in Twin Falls, Idaho to John A. and Nancy S. Lawrence. Jan was raised in Twin Falls and graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1972. She then attended the University of Idaho, where she studied elementary education and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She graduated in 1976 and began her teaching career at Morningside Elementary School in Twin Falls where she taught first grade for nine years. In 1980, she received her Master's degree in Education from the U of l. That same year, Jan married Walter Freestone. They made their home in Hansen and raised three daughters. Jan was a stay-at-home mom for nine years and loved taking care of her girls. In 1995, Jan returned to work and began teaching at Hansen Elementary School where she was an educator for the next 16 years. Gentle-hearted, strong-willed, and even a little feisty, she was a loving woman who touched the lives of everyone she knew. She inspired in her students and family members a deep appreciation of the beauty of nature and all its living creatures. Jan enjoyed cooking, being outdoors, camping at Alturas and Redfish Lakes, and walking Josie, the family dog. She was an avid gardener and spent her summers working in the yard. She loved attending her daughters' sporting events and never missed a game. Surviving Jan is her beloved husband of 30 years, Walter Freestone; daughters, Ellen (James) Upson of Pocatello, Bonnie (Thane) Peters of Jerome, and Charlotte Freestone of Boise; sister, Karolyn (Bob) Watts of Kimberly; and mother, Nancy Lawrence of Twin Falls. She was preceded in death by her father, John A. Lawrence; mother-in-law, Virginia B. Freestone; and father-in-law, Ferris T. Freestone. Her family would like to thank the hospice nurses at Hospice Visions and all of the medical personnel who provided their excellent care and support. A memorial service for Jan will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 30, 2A11, at the Hansen High School gymnasium, with Pastor Steelman Borden officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Twin Falls. The family requests memorials be sent to the Twin Falls Humane Society and/or Hansen Elementary School for playground enhancements, including trees. Those who wish may share memories at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.