Janet Raasveld

Obituary – Janet Bigler Jackson Raasveld – 76 years

Janet Bigler was born on April 13, 1945 to Dorothy Price and Alma Edwin Bigler in Mesa, AZ. She is the fourth of nine children and had a wonderful childhood. The family lived in Heber, AZ and spent the summers running the Sundown Dude Ranch. She has very fond memories of her summers at the Ranch and the lessons she learned. She graduated from Snowflake High School in 1963. She has a great love for music and during her high school years, performed with several choirs and musicals. One of her dreams was to one day sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

She met Don Grant Jackson in the spring of 1963 and on September 5, 1964, they married for time and eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have a deep love and she stated that “We had great and wonderful times together.” They welcomed three children, Betty Ellen - 1965, Jan Rae - 1967, and Gary Don - 1968. On September 24, 1968, Grant lost his life to a logging accident, Janet although devastated, trusted that the Lord needed Grant more than she did. She also knew that they would see each other again, one day.

She attended Beauty College, where she learned one of the many talents she used throughout her life to support her family. Her love of helping others then led her to transition into the Massage Trade. During her lifetime she learned many different massage techniques and continued to learn new ways she could help more people.

Six years after Grant passed away, she met John Ramsey Raasveld. They were married for time in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on August 26, 1974. The family instantly grew to 7, with the addition of John’s children, Margaret Marie and Morris John (Shawn). There were great adventures during their life together, one of her favorites was serving a two year church mission in Pine Ridge, SD on the Lakota Native American Reservation. When they returned from South Dakota, they served an additional two and a half years with the Apache people. Janet and John were able to travel to New Zealand in 2002; it was a trip she remembered fondly. John lay to rest September 12, 2002, they enjoyed 28 years together before he passed.

Janet loved and served her church throughout her life. Beginning at the age of 17, she led the music in Primary and Sunday School. She has always served as a Visiting Teacher, twice as a Primary President, twice as Young Woman’s President, a Relief Society President, and taught in each organization as well. She served on the Stake Young Women’s Board for 5 years, was the Stake Blazer leader for 5 years, and trained in all areas of scouting. Additionally she was trained at Philmont and Wood Badge for Scouts and Cubs. She was awarded the Silver Beaver in the Grand Canyon Council and enjoyed serving in Scouts for over 35 years.

She walked this earth with steadfast faith, unwavering hope and a fierce devotion to all those who came to know her. She devoted her life to her family and helping others. It was her fervent desire to live her life in the best way possible to allow her to see her loved ones again and be worthy to live again with God and his son Jesus Christ. Janet passed peacefully from this life to the next on November 27, 2021 in Gallup, NM.

Janet is survived by: her children, Ellen (Barry) Cato, Jan (Rod) Mortensen, Gary (Tori) Jackson, Marie (Bart) Norton & Shawn (Cindy) Raasveld; her brothers, Ray, Charles, Fred, Bill, Lavar & David Bigler; 27 Grandchildren, 34 Great-Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great-Grandchildren; and Brother and Sister In-Laws, Ilene Wimmer, Harold (Alene), Loren (Beverly) & Bruce (Carol) Jackson, Debra Perkins (Jacob), Robert Bowers and many nieces & nephews.

She is predeceased by: her husbands, Grant Jackson & John Raasveld, her parents, Alma & Dorothy Bigler; her sisters, Dorothy Brimhall & Jean Owens; and In-laws, Don & Orpha Jackson, Donna (Lynn) Rogers, Duane Wimmer, Reba (Carl) Chlarson, Vernon Jackson, Delight Bowers and several nieces and nephews . She is indeed celebrating a grand reunion with them now.

Services will be held Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Clay Springs Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5150 Hwy 260 in Clay Springs, Arizona. Viewing and Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. with the service beginning at 10:30 a.m. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Clay Springs Cemetery.

 Zoom Information: Meeting ID: 980 0038 0476 Passcode:  966274