Janice (Jan) Kay Syvertson was born on September 8, 1934, in Albert Lee, Minnesota. She passed peacefully on November 1, 2021, surrounded by her loved ones in Fortuna, California. Jan married the love of her life Robert (Bob) Lee Syvertson in 1953. They raised four “practically perfect” children: Robert (Rob) Lee Jr., Peggy, Roger, and Patti Syvertson.

Jan cherished her time working at Redwood Memorial Hospital, and treasured the connections she made with the people there. She was grateful for these relationships and maintained them throughout her lifetime. Following her retirement, she worked for the Fortuna Senior Center; serving the senior community brought her joy and a sense of purpose. Jan was passionate about creating a space where seniors could thrive, and spent countless hours volunteering and supporting the construction of the “new” Fortuna Senior Center.

She was a faithful loving wife, Mom, and grandmother who thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was known for her kind spirit and sometimes wicked sense of humor. She looked forward to her weekly outings to Redwood Empire Golf and Country Club where she enjoyed having a cocktail (or two) with her friends and “Bobby”. She had an amazing capacity to live life in the moment, forgive with grace, laugh, and never hold on to the past.

Jan was proceeded in death by her parents, Don and Helia Burshem, her husband, Bobby Syvertson, her sister, Lavonne Lloyd, and her two sons, Rob and Roger Syvertson. She is survived by two siblings, Ron and Beverly Burshem, her daughters, Peggy and Patti Syvertson, and her grandchildren Sammy Meranda, Nick, Kelley (husband, Daiel), Josh, Kayla (wife, Devon), and Garrett Syvertson. 

The family would like to thank the loving and compassionate staff at Redwood Memorial Hospital with special appreciation for Dr. Dittmer, Dr. Brinkhaus (Sr and Jr), and Israel (Izzy, ICU nurse), who provided excellent care. We are particularly grateful to Dr. Don Baird for his long-term commitment to Mom’s health. If you wish to make a memorial donation in her honor, please donate to the Fortuna Senior Center. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

God speed, Mom.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jan Syvertson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.