Janet Mae Bortnem

Janet Mae (Leverson) Bortnem, 85, of Great Falls, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2017 from complications due to Alzheimer’s. Janet was born on August 3, 1932 in Hawley, Minnesota, to Thone (Odden) and Adolf Leverson. She was the second of three children and joined her older sister Audrey. Her little brother, Leroy, would arrive several years later. Mom was very outgoing as a youngster and graduated from Hawley High School at the top of her class. She continued her education and completed a 2-year business school in Fargo, North Dakota. She was employed in Fargo until her good friend Marion got a job teaching in Belt, Montana, and mom felt the need to venture out west. She and her friend took the train to Great Falls with just what they could carry in their luggage and the money they had saved. The young ladies found an apartment the day they arrived, a church to attend, and mom found a job with Baucus & Dawson, an accounting firm. She worked for the firm for over 30 years. She was a crackerjack with numbers and had many very satisfied clients. More importantly, not long after arriving in Great Falls, mom met a dashing young airman from South Dakota, Al Bortnem. Neither would live anywhere else again. They married on November 25, 1956, at First English Lutheran Church in Great Falls. In 1958 Janet and Al welcomed son, Keith, and then in 1962, welcomed daughter Susan. Mom was an extremely devoted Christian, wife, mother and grandmother. We were immensely blessed to have been raised in her and Dad’s household where we wanted for nothing, learned how good life can be, and were loved at every turn. Mom’s keen sense of humor and straightforwardness kept us laughing and on the straight and narrow at the same time. She always had a twinkle in her eye and you never had to guess where you stood with her!! She was active in her church, Faith Lutheran, and truly missed being able to attend. She was a proud member of the Sweet Adelines and made many friends there. She had a beautiful voice and music was always a big part of her life. Mom and Dad loved to camp and travel. They traveled many winters to Arizona where they forged more friendships. Their biggest adventure though, was to their shared heritage, Norway. Theirs’ was a uniquely amazing love story that lasted nearly 61 years here on earth before Dad’s death on August 5, 2017. She couldn’t stick around too long after he left. Janet is survived by her son, Dr. Keith (Becky) Bortnem; daughter Susan (Jeff Mora) Weber; 7 granddaughters, Missy Bortnem, Lindsey (Steve) Brown, Christina (Chris) Skinner, Becca Bortnem, Emily, McKenzie and Anna Weber; and step-grandson Kyle Fry. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Al, her parents, and her sister. A private graveside service is planned. A celebration of Janet’s and Al’s lives will be held in the summer of 2018. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation or Faith Lutheran Church. Condolences for the family may be posted at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.