Janet Lee Browning

Janet Lee Browning, 87, of Twin Falls, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

Janet Lee Johnson Browning was born on April 22, 1937, to Tom and Eva Johnson of rural Madelia, Minnesota. She attended a one–room country school from grades one to eight. As a child, she was a 4-H member, and she enjoyed roller-skating and playing kitten ball. She studied piano and clarinet and was a member of the high school band. Janet attended Madelia High School and graduated as valedictorian of her class. The highlight of her 4-H career was taking her Hampshire pig, Glamour Girl, to the Minnesota State Fair where she won the showmanship award; perhaps being the only girl exhibiting a pig had something to do with it! 

 She received her BA degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where she graduated with high honors (magna cum laude). During the summers of her college years, she worked for Hamilton Stores in the Lake Area of Yellowstone National Park. Working in Yellowstone drew her to the West. She loved the mountains and chose to live where the humidity was lower, the mosquitoes were fewer, and the winters were not so bitter cold!

 She began her teaching career at Twin Falls High School in the fall of 1959. The subjects she taught included accounting, typing, and shorthand—shorthand being her favorite! Janet retired in 1994 after teaching for 34 years.

 Janet visited 35 countries and 49 states—every state except West Virginia. She particularly enjoyed visiting Norway and Ireland, the lands of her heritage. She loved the Stanley area and the Oregon coast and, of course, Yellowstone and the Tetons. She enjoyed skiing, Alpine and Nordic. She bowled on the Tuesday a.m. Trios bowling league for many years. In all sports, she considered herself a forever beginner! She was a member of the over 60 and Fit Class for several years and exercised at the senior center. She was also a member of the Sons of Norway. She enjoyed walking along the Snake River Canyon rim as long as she was able. She enjoyed watching Major League Baseball and NFL games, having a particular fondness for the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks.

 Survivors include daughter, Kristin (Brian) Browning McFarland of Prescott Valley, AZ, and son Lindy (Jacki) Browning from Bonney Lake, WA. She has five grandchildren: Josh (Francis) Goeken, Buckeye, AZ; Zach (Michelle) Goeken, Cheyenne, WY; Casey (Julia) Browning, Orting, WA; Brianne (Steve) LaGrande, Lake Havasu City, AZ; and Connor (Tesla) Hughes, Murrieta, CA. Even though they didn’t live close by, Janet was able to spend quality time with each of them. Proverbs 17:6 says, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged.” Janet was also blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Rylee, Maya, and Tessa Browning; Cameron, Mariah, Everett, and Layla Goeken; and Ryan LaGrande. Other survivors include sister Sharon Lehrman, nieces Erin Lehrman-Harvard, Twin Falls, and Emily Rosen, Fairfield, CT, and great nieces, Kaily Harvard and Naomi Rosen. Janet was preceded in death by daughter Kim. 

 It was Janet’s wish to be cremated, and her ashes scattered in some beautiful place. A Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Wilks Magic Valley Funeral Home, 2551 Kimberly Road, Twin Falls, Idaho 83301. The Celebration of Life will be webcasted, to view the live webcasting of the service, follow the tab below. 

In lieu of flowers, Janet’s family requests donations be made in her memory to:

Sons of Norway Foundation

Memo: Scholarship Foundation

1455 Lake St.

Minneapolis, MN 55405

Or

Online at: 

https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_e8ed4675-debd-11e7-94a1-0a7fa948a058&WidgetId=21180416

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