Janice Carson Chelberg

Janice Arkley Carson Chelberg, 76 Years old, Mesa, Arizona. Born April 4, 1937 in Bemidji, Minnesota and died August 17, 2013 after a slow decline due to Alzheimer’s disease. She grew up in Park Rapids and Minneapolis, Minnesota, completing high school at the Minnehaha Academy in 1955. She attended Bemidji State Teachers College from 1955 to 1956. Jan married Roger Englund and gave birth to two children, Jon and Shannon. She returned to college as a single mother earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Counseling/Public Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1977. She loved her work as a counselor and social worker at a variety of human service agencies in Minneapolis, including Pillsbury Waite Neighborhood Services where she retired as a manager. Jan married Raymond Chelberg in 1979 and became an integral part of his three children’s lives. Through Ray’s career at Northwest Airlines, they enjoyed traveling throughout the world and lived in Holland and Singapore for a short time. They also enjoyed their small business as Red Hawk Traders showcasing Native and southwestern jewelry and art objects. They moved to Kalispell, Montana to their “Dream Catcher Ranch” in 1997 to enjoy their retirement. Her hobbies included reading and learning, being in the mountains, going to auctions, collecting antiques, making beaded jewelry, listening to music and deep conversation. After Ray’s passing in 2004 and her subsequent diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease in 2007, she relocated to Mesa, Arizona in 2008. Jan was preceded in death by her loving husband, Raymond Clarence Chelberg, of 25 years, and her parents, Ralph and Grace Carson. She is missed by loving children, Jon Englund and Donna Luger of Mesa, AZ, Shannon Curran of Fresno, CA; step-children, Yvonne Chelberg of Bridgeport, WV, Eugene Chelberg and David Meissner of San Francisco, CA, and Christopher and Theresa Chelberg of Whidbey Island, WA; grandchildren, Daniel, Macgregor, Jordan, Kiplin, and Kaitlyn; brothers/sisters-in-law, Newell and Barb Carson, Mike and Mary Lou Carson, Greg and Joy Carson, and Jay Carson; sister/brother-in-law Kimberly and Fred Ferreira; step-father, Rob Marvin; sisters-in-law/brother-in-law Marilyn and Arnie Fichtenberg and Nancy Bischoff; brother-cousin/cousin-in-law Carson and Gail Gardner, as well as aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins, and numerous friends. The family wishes to extend its deepest appreciation and thank you to Loralee Harris, Jan’s close friend, for her unflagging love and support. The family also expresses its sincere thanks to the staff of Extended Family Assisted Living Homes in Mesa for their care of Jan over the past year. Jan’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Red Mountain Community Church, 6101 E. Virginia St., Mesa, AZ 85215. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the fund for the care and feeding of Bella (Jan’s final cat companion) in care of Jon Englund, 2733 N Power Rd., Suite 102, #176, Mesa, AZ 85215. Bella was truly an Angel of comfort for Jan. Or, send memorials to your favorite charity. Friends and family in Minneapolis are invited to gather in Minneapolis on Thursday, August 29, at the home of Jan’s good friend, Naomi Nygaard, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Please call 612-521-4800 for details.

Janice Carson Chelberg

April 4, 1937 - August 17, 2013