Janet Rose Meier-Grolman, 79

Our dear mother, Janet Rose Meier-Grolman, of Post Falls, Idaho departed to be with our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus in the morning of Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. She was 79, and a wonderful mother and grandmother who was always there when we needed her. She was predeceased by her beloved parents, Phyllis and Robert Burlingame, and two older sisters, Roberta (Toots) Hoiland and Audrey Flockerzie. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Dietrich Meier-Grolman; younger sister, Joan Hostetler; brother, Bob Burlingame; son, Joseph (Molly) Meier-Grolman; daughter, Rosanna (Matthew) Cudmore; and her five grandchildren: Cadence (16), Bridger (15), Gideon (15), Alex (14), and Gemma (11). She has many friends and family who loved and miss her very much.

Janet graduated from Kootenai High School and went on to major in English and speech communication with minors in history and psychology from Eastern Washington University in Cheney. Janet was a lifelong learner, studying everything from music and literature to art and education. She went on to earn her bachelor's of science in education from the University of Idaho in Moscow where she embarked on a lifelong journey of educating thousands of children in Idaho. For 41 years, her passion was to make a difference in the lives of her students, parents and colleagues.

After Janet retired in 2002, she continued to care for children and families in her community. She made dozens of baby blankets, donating them to the local pregnancy resource center and handing them out to pregnant women she met at the grocery store or restaurants.

Janet could be found reading romance novels among the many flowers in her garden while sipping on a latte. Many hours were spent outside on the back patio, playing cards or Yahtzee with Dietrich, crafting and cooking raspberry pancakes with her grandkids or helping them with their math and reading in the summer.

Mom had a laugh that you could hear a mile away, and she would laugh at any joke you told, no matter how high it was on the dad-joke scale. She enjoyed deviled eggs, iced buttermilk with pepper, and made the best baked spaghetti — it would make her son-in-law cry. She often would interrupt her busy daily schedule just to buy the homeless guy on the corner groceries and clean clothes for the week. She loved sitting on her porch during lightning storms and sung in soprano no matter where she was or who was listening.

Her family was most important to her, often feeding them when they weren’t hungry, but more importantly, sharing the good news of Jesus with them, praying for them, and sharing what she had read in her daily Bible study. Thank you, Mom, for loving us and being a great example for us to continue your work.

Please join in celebrating her life at 12 p.m., on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Yates Funeral Home, 744 N Fourth Street, Coeur d’Alene, with a viewing preceding the service at 11 am. A graveside service will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls. A reception will be held from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center, 405 N William Street, Post Falls.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Open Arms Real Choices Pregnancy Clinic https://give.ministrylinq.com/app/giving/cashlinq-2739.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with final arrangements. Please visit Janet’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at yatesfuneralhomes.com.