1936 - 2022
Janet was born to Harold and Ordelia Thiesen in Jennings, Kansas on October 1, 1936. She had four brothers, Lloyd, Gene, Larry and Don and one sister, Joy. Janet talked about riding Uncle Pete’s Old Horse “Blue” to school at Lone Star, Kansas along with four of her siblings. She laughed about being the smallest so she had to ride on the tail end.
She said that they all could have walked faster than that old horse did. In 1947, the Thiesen family moved to a farm just north of Ft. Lupton, Colorado. They farmed and had milk cows. Janet graduated High School in 1955. After graduation, Janet married Delmar Jackson on June 12, 1955 in Taos, New Mexico. They spent most of their married life farming and ranching southeast of Brighton CO. Janet and Delmar had three girls, Delora, Debra and Lynette. Janet was the best cook ever and had a voice like an angel.
She always head plenty of mouths to feed, cowboys, farmhands and family. Thank Goodness she liked to cook! Delora and Lynette have fond memories of sitting in the kitchen “watching and listening” (you didn’t dare get in her way, because she moved really fast.) She would sing country ballads and gospel hymns while she cooked the most amazing breads, biscuits, pastries, homemade noodles, fried chicken, you name it, she made it! And everyone always asked for seconds. There was always enough food for just one more mouth. What an amazing cook Janet was. Delmar and Janet said goodbye to each other in 1974. Janet married James (Jim) Beechley in 1977 and gained three step-daughters. Janet and Jim moved around a lot from 1977 until 1991. They stayed in Colorado but lived in Stratton, Bethune, Calhan, Denver, Aurora, Pueblo, and finally Burlington.
They purchased the Hi-Lo Motel in Burlington, CO in 1991. With a little help from family and friends, they remodeled it and turned it into a homey place to live and comfortable place for travelers to stop and stay for the night. If a traveler seemed a little needy or was extra nice to Janet, she just might be inclined to take a plate of food to their room, just to make sure they had something to eat. Or she might invite them to sit on the patio for a cup of coffee and some conversation. Janet and Jim had a lot of repeat customers They enjoyed each other’s company and took drives in the country.
They loved to go to Bonnie Dam and watch the deer and geese and ducks flying. Visiting with her family and friends was always a highlight. Janet loved seeing her children and grandchildren along with all the great and great, great grandchildren. Janet lost her beloved Jim on February 28, 2001, but continued to operate the Hi-Lo Motel. She had made many friends over the years who reached out to help whenever and however they could. Deb and Bill Rawlings (Family) were also instrumental in helping Janet keep the Motel running.
Janet continued her tradition of cooking for whomever she felt needed feeding. The quality of her cooking never ceased to amaze those who were lucky enough to share her bounty. Janet retired from the Hi-Lo Motel Business in December of 2019. She moved to Hover Assisted Living in Longmont, CO. Janet moved again in March of 2021 to Life Care Center of Longmont where she went to live with the Lord on July 23, 2022. Janet is survived by Delora (Cliff) Lane, Lynette (Doan) Shearer, Debbie (Bill) Rawlings, Barb (Charlie) Johnannessen, Rose (Rick) Paripovich; 15 Grandchildren, 33 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren. Janet is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jim Beechley, 1 daughter (Debra), 3 brothers (Lloyd, Gene and Larry) and Sister (Joy) and 2 Grandsons (Michael) and (Jeremy).
A Graveside Service will be held at 11 AM Saturday July 30, 2022 at Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, CO. In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made in Janet’s name to the Burlington, CO Volunteer Fire Department.
