​A fighter to the end, our mother, grandmother, and friend, Jan Anderson, lost her battle with​ ​cancer on February 11, 2026.​ ​ Born November 16, 1938, in Shelton, Washington, Jan was a scrapper from the beginning. The​ ​ youngest of four, she grew up keeping pace with three older brothers in a hardworking family, ​ ​raised in a lumber town, surrounded by relatives. Jan remained close with her family and​ ​ cousins throughout her life.​

After high school, Jan married Bill Swank and landed in Fortuna, where they raised a growing​ ​ family of three busy boys, Allen, Jay, and Chris. Divorced in 1974, Jan found lasting love with​ ​Alfred Anderson, marrying in 1979 and expanding her family to include Kim, Russell and​ ​ Leonard. Al and Jan shared a career in large construction and engineering projects, with Alfred​ ​ in the field and Jan in the office. Their vocation took them to many locations throughout the​ ​ Pacific Northwest and then the Bay Area. Ultimately, they found their way back to Humboldt​ ​ County, where they established a thriving blueberry farm in Honeydew with a loyal following at Farmers’ Markets. After a successful run with blueberries, Jan and Al settled in Redcrest and​ ​ enjoyed fishing out of Humboldt Bay or Shelter Cove, visiting casinos, tending their orchard, ​spending time with family and just being together.​

Jan sorely felt the loss of her husband Alfred in 2012. Following that, Jan lived out the rest of​ ​her days exactly as she wanted: reading, working in her beautiful flower garden, taking trips to​ ​the casino, and visiting with family and friends. Jan passed peacefully at home, under the​ ​watchful eye of her cat, “Skitter,” and a caring network of loved ones.​

Jan was known for her sharp wit and lively storytelling. She loved to laugh and had a way of ​ ​bringing humor into even the most ordinary moments. She was kind and generous with her​ ​affection, especially toward her children and grandchildren, who knew without a doubt that she​ ​loved them deeply.​

Al, Jay, and Russell preceded Jan. Jan is survived by her sons Allen Swank (Melinda), Chris​ ​ Swank (Sabrena) and granddaughter Jessica (great-granddaughter Peyton); step-daughter Kim ​ ​Hinkson (Terry) with granddaughters Kate, Hannah, Jesse, Rachel, and Emily and their families​ ​including 16 great-grandchildren; and step-son Leonard Anderson (Amanda) with grandchildren​ ​ Charlie and Sara and their mother Lynn Anderson, and their families including four ​great-grandchildren.​

Jan’s family and friends will deeply miss her. However, Jan’s laughter, stories, and steadfast​ ​ love will remain as a legacy to us always.