Janet Richardson

Janet Buehler Richardson peacefully passed away in her sleep near family on June 10, 2014, in Logan, Utah. Jan was born in Midway on Feb 18, 1929, to Charles and Zelma (Shaw) Buehler. She was the 5th of 11 children. Her family lived on a dairy farm and she was a tomboy, doing farm jobs more than any other. She was proud of the fights and wrestling matches she would get into with the boys at school. Because her family was poor and her teen years were during World War II, she would use her brothers' old clothes and fashion them into dresses for herself. This shows 2 of Jan's passions-thriftiness and sewing. Well into her 70s, she would start and finish a quilt in a week or less, showing her ability to work hard and her drive to finish (quickly). She married Wendell Elder in 1947 and had 5 children: Jana Lyn, Wendell, Jon, Stuart, and Tom. They later divorced. During this time, she worked as a waitress and once served John Wayne breakfast (he liked his eggs 'lookin at me' or sunny side up). Jan asked out Owen Richardson and they were later married on March 16, 1961, and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Owen brought 3 children to the marriage (Alan, Anne [Roberts], and Paul), starting their marriage with a house full of kids. After 11 years, they welcomed Kimberly (Barker) to the family. Her children are hard workers, creative artists, and seasoned cooks. To date, they have 70 offspring. Owen and Jan bought a boat early in their marriage and spent many days on the water, mostly at Lake Powell. Jan was the cook. Even when it wasn't her turn, she was still in the houseboat's kitchen helping. She would plan the meals and buy just enough food to last the trip-with leftovers thrown into a pot of stew at the end. Jan treasured Lake Powell time with her family and loved fishing, waterskiing, and watching her grandkids play. Jan spent much of her life as a Realtor and worked closely with her sister Mary Wheeler. Later in life, she worked in the kitchen of Utah Valley University as a cook and unofficial teacher of how to not waste food. Jan's attitude was remarkable. It never occurred to her that she couldn't accomplish anything she tried. And she was usually right. She had many talents and loved to share them. Everyone in her family (and many of her friends) can wrap up in a quilt she made. She showed her love through gifts and service. "What I make with my hands I give with my heart" beautifully describes how Jan showed her love. It will be hard to enter a thrift store and not think of her. We will miss her no nonsense advice, her crunchy cookies, and her Carmex. And many of us will have to learn where to buy blankets. Funeral services: the Windsor 1st Ward chapel (1505 N. 145 E. Orem) on Mon, June 16 at 1 pm. Viewing from 11:30-12:30. Interment: East Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements: Sundberg-Olpin Mortuary.

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