Ilene Janice "Jan" Wooley

Jan Wooley, 77, of Missoula, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September, 20, 2016, surrounded by her family. She was born in Spokane, Wa on February 23, 1939 to Percy and Berdale Gensel. She grew up and attended her first two years of high school in Spokane. Along with their business (Empire Fish Company) the family moved to Helena, Mt where she graduated from Helena High School in 1957. During that time Jan met the love of her life Bill Wooley. In January of 1958 they wed in Helena, Mt.
They started their life together in Helena where Bill worked for the family business. When the company transferred to Missoula in 1960 Bill and Jan picked up roots and moved too. Shortly thereafter she started her career with Champion International. After 20+ years she retired when the company closed its doors. Not one to sit around she took a job working in the kitchen at Liberty Lanes and later as a greeter for Walmart.

Jan could be found with her family and friends, enjoying the great outdoors; playing, organizing, and winning many local cribbage tournaments; and league bowling for many years. She loved being a mother and a grandmother and never missed an opportunity to support her children and grandchildren in their many activities. From September to December she could be found in the north end zone of Washington Grizzly Stadium cheering on the Griz.

As a 30+ year member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #32, Jan and Bill helped raise money for the many charities that the Eagles supported. After holding all the seats in her local lodge, she was elected State Grand Madam President in 2012. We know that she will be dearly missed by her many Eagle sisters and brothers.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Bill; parents Percy and Berdale Gensel. She is survived by her brothers-in-law Dan (Virginia) Wooley of Helena, Mt and Jim (Margurite) Wooley of Cameron, Mt; her spoiled rotten black lab Sassy; her three children, Shelley Weldon of Pahrump, NV, Jeannie (Jeff) Painter of Missoula, Mt, and Douglas (Johnna) Wooley of Glasgow, Mt; her eight grandchildren, Aubrey (Tyler) Boaz, Jason (Christina) Nuckolls, Tyler (Brandi) Weldon, Justin (Bonnie) Wooley, Jessica (Rudy) Barlow, Drew Wooley, Zachary Weldon and Naomi Wooley; eight great grandchildren, Everleigh and Brogan Weldon, Jaxson and Jeremiah Wooley, Rylie and Wyatt Nuckolls, and Tycen and Teagen Boaz; four nephews, four nieces, and several great nieces and nephews.

A service will be held to honor Jan on Saturday, September 24th at 11 am at Garden City Funeral Home. A reception will be held at the Eagles Lodge immediately following the service.

Jan will be greatly missed by her family, her friends, and Sassy.