An Obituary for Grandma Jane: Jane Walles, August 25, 1927 -- March 12, 2016

Jane Walles, a long-time resident of Port Neches, Texas passed away at Calder Wood retirement facility in Beaumont on March 12, 2016. Jane was born (in 1927) and raised in Miles City, Montana. Her immediate family (all now deceased) included her father, William Leavitt, who was a lawyer and a Montana State legislator; her mother, Emily, who was a home maker; and her two sisters Debra and Anne. Jane had many fascinating stories of growing up in Miles City in the 30's and 40's, some of which involved, literally, cowboys and Indians. After two years of college, at the University of Arizona and the University of Montana, she married her first husband Barney Bardsley and gave birth to a son Scott in 1950. Barney and Jane raised Scott in Billings, Montana, and then moved to Texas in 1969. Within a few years of being in Texas, Barney was tragically killed. Jane chose to stay in Texas after his death and eventually met her second husband Homer Walles, of Port Neches, who she married in 1977. Jane greatly loved, and was deeply devoted to, Homer; they enjoyed travel, working in their yard, and spending time together. Jane tragically lost her son Scott in 1999, and then Homer passed away in 2009. Although she experienced much loss in her life, Jane maintained a wry sense of humor and a zest for life, showing grace and strength through it all. Jane is survived by her grandsons John (Jennifer) and Kadin Bardsley, and great grandchildren Alex and Ellie Bardsley, all of Missoula, Montana; and a niece Krista Carlson of San Francisco, California.

Grandma Jane 1996.