Janis M. Bland

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our mom, Janis Bland. She passed in her home, surrounded by her family, on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Janis was born in Cle Elum on October 30, 1939 to William & Mary Smergut. Except for a couple years that Dad was in the Army, Mom lived her entire life in Cle Elum.

After graduating from Cle Elum High School in 1957 she started college at Central Washington University.

Mom and Dad were married on June 26, 1959 and brought four children into the world; Bryan, Baby Terry, Jana and Brett. After all us kids were in school mom went back to college and got her teaching degree. She taught third grade, then second grade, in Cle Elum for the next 29 years.

Mom was proud of her Croatian heritage and was part of the Glavitsa Selo Igraci (Mountain Village Dancers) Balkan Dancers group.

Mom is proceeded in death by her parents, husband Terry, sons Baby Terry and Brett. She is survived by her children, Bryan (Catrina) Bland and Jana Bland; grandchildren Cassie (James) Alexander and Gregory (Rachel) Bland; and great-grandchildren Cora, Brett and Josie Bland; her sisters and brother and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mom was a life-long member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum. To that end, memorial contributions in her honor are suggested to St. John’s.

Thank you to the caretakers at Belair House and the doctors and nurses at Kittitas Valley Hospital for the care of mom.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum. Committal will be at Laurel Hill Memorial Park and a reception will follow the committal at the Cle Elum Senior Center. Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 also at the Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com

Zivio!