Janet Kister

Janet King Kister

Our sweet Janet Kister peacefully passed away on the afternoon of November 27, 2016, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah as a result of a brain aneurysm. Janet was 62 years young.

Janet was born in Ogden, Utah on June 18, 1954. She was the third of four children and the only daughter of David and Lola King. Janet was preceded in death by her mother Lola Allen King. She is survived by her father David King; three brothers, Scott (Kris) King, Layton; Jerry King, Ogden, and Wayne (Kathy) King, Syracuse; two sons Jay (Alicia) Kister, Mesa AZ, and Matt (Angie) Kister, Bountiful and 12 grandchildren; Emily, Buddy, Samara, Kitty Lou, Dallin, Matthew, Eli, and Keandra Kister of Mesa AZ, and Makayla, Aliya, Caden, and Zoey Kister of Bountiful.

Those who knew Janet knew that she was a beautiful free spirit and was always happy and ready for a good laugh.  She had some hard times in her life that provided her with great opportunity for growth and life experiences. She was divorced at a young age and was left to raise her two boys, while working a full time job. Some of her greatest and most treasured memories were raising her sons in rough circumstances in Lily of the Valley mobile home park in Santa Clarita, CA. This is where Janet's true character was able to shine. Despite the meager circumstances and environment around her, she ALWAYS put her boy’s needs and wants above her own. It was at this point in Janet's life, where she found God and raised her sons’ in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This decision changed the rest of her and her sons’ lives forever.  Janet built into her sons a deep rooted love for Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  She carefully and purposely built an environment inside of that little trailer home that gave her sons an opportunity to feel the love of God. The ripple effect that Janet started by teaching her sons correct values and principles and allowing them   to make correct as well as incorrect choices in life, loving them the same no matter what, cannot be numbered. Through her faithfulness many, many people have been influenced for the better.

Janet loved to create!  She was a true artist in every way. She loved to paint it, draw it, teach it, talk about it, look at it, and create it. She was often found at her kitchen island or out in nature with her grandchildren creating everything and anything they could imagine. If you were lucky enough to be one of her students, you knew her famous words “there are no mistakes in art”!

Janet is most proud of her sons and has openly expressed how grateful she is to see what great husbands and fathers they have become. But what brought Janet the very most pleasure and happiness in her life was her 12 grandchildren!  She was most definitely the young Grandma Janet, which would sing silly made up songs with them, get them out of the house to go for walks, look at the stars, or just go out and howl at the moon at night. She also was the grandma that the kids would confide in. Grandma Janet had a way to allow her grandchildren to open up to her about their life and share things with her that they would not dare tell anyone else. Her grandkids knew they could tell her anything and Grandma Janet would be on their side with wise advice and a big hug!

If you were to go and talk with any company or place where Janet has worked, you would hear the same thing. “WE LOVE HER! She was the most loyal, hard working woman I know. We don't know what we would do without her.”  You will also find a best friend that she had made at each and every place.  Janet's final years on earth were spent working at Station Park in Farmington, Utah as a security guard. She always had a lot of fun stories and experiences to share about her day. All of her co-workers expressed great love and respect for her. And yes, she had some best friends their also.

Janet could not go anywhere without making someone feel special and better about themselves, that was just the way she was.  She never viewed herself as a “somebody”, or anyone that has achieved a great amount of success.   Even though that is the farthest thing from the truth, it is that very humble countenance that gave others permission to see themselves as something more than what they were.  Janet had an unbiased gift of letting people know they were loved and special no matter who they were.

She loved being out in nature and when she was on top of any mountain,  hill, staircase or deck, watch out, because she would yell from the top of her lungs (despite how many strangers were around or how quiet you were supposed to be) “HELLO WORLD!” with her arms out wide.  I can see her now in heaven surrounded by quiet and very reverent angels and see her looking down from heaven with the biggest smile on her face and yelling to us all “HELLO WORLD”!

Special thanks to: Angie Kister (Janet’s’ daughter in-law, closest friend and confidant) who called 911 and calmly stayed on the line to assist with Janet's CPR. Tim Fisher (neighbor), Dave Lane (Earthcare Landscaping), and Matt Kister (Son) who gave CPR for over 30 minutes to her and successfully kept her heart beating and breath in her lungs until the paramedics arrived.  Caden Kister (10 yr old grandson) for trying to wake Grandma Janet up and for his speed in getting help from Tim and Dave.  Jeff Larson (Bountiful Paramedic) for treating her like his own mother. The doctors and nurses at the University of Utah Hospital who worked long hours and kept her out of pain and discomfort.  Layton Cottrell at Lindquist Mortuaries for his sympathy and kindness.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, Ward Canyon Ward for all of their love, prayers, support and treating Janet and her family with such a deep Christ like love.  Saugus 2nd Ward, California for watching over and taking care of Janet and her sons early in life and for being Christ like examples to Janet and her sons and jump starting all of their lives in understanding what the eternal family is all about.

A memorial to celebrate Janet's life will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Bountiful Utah LDS Church 540 North 1200 East.  Immediately following the service, Janet's ashes will be laid to rest with her mom Lola King at the Bountiful City cemetery, 2224 South 200 West.  All are welcome.  There will be an open house for friends and family to visit and reminisce before the service, beginning at noon.

If anyone would like to express their love, or share any stories or experiences about Janet they can do so by posting on Janet Kister's facebook wall or Matt Kister's facebook wall. They will be read and cherished forever. Thank you.