Janice (Cartner) Welch

BESSEMER, Mich. — Janice Welch, 68, passed away at her home on March 18, 2019. She lost her battle with cancer with her loving husband Alvin Thompson by her side.

She grew up in northern Illinois, acquired a degree in Math from Marquette University, lived in Bessemer township for one year and then moved to Ellensburg, Wash., where she spent the majority of her life, raised a family and taught math at the local schools. For the past five years, Jan and Al lived in the Bessemer area to be closer to her parents.

Jan was talented in many aspects. She liked to draw and paint, sing and play the piano for pleasure and church events, garden, cook, and started a photography business where she sold cards/prints and photographed weddings. She was an avid outdoorswoman and enjoyed hiking, skiing, and camping in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She loved exploring the beaches and tide pools in Olympic National Park, and was inspired by the energy of Lake Superior and the forest of the U.P.

She was preceded in death by her parents Vern and Allien Cartner. Jan will be dearly missed by her husband Al, daughter Naomi, son Matt, brothers Ted and Dan, sister Lori, granddaughter Alix and her two children, sister and brother in-laws Cindy and Matt, father of her son Tom Welch, and father of her daughter Richard Miicke.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Cornerstone Christian Church, N10344 Mill Street, in Ramsay, on Saturday, March 30 at 3 p.m. A meal will be served after the service. Family, friends and acquaintances are invited to attend.

A charitable contribution in Janice’s memory is suggested in lieu of flowers to Washington Trails Association at wta.org/get-involved/join/memorial-giving.