Jane was born on Nov. 12, 1951, to Sheldon and Orvilla Swenson. She grew up with sisters Shirley and Susan on the family farm in southern Minnesota, then in the small town of Lafayette, Minnesota. Jane was a good student and participated in community life at the Lutheran church. With help from her mother and grandmothers, Jane discovered talents for baking, sewing, and knitting. She also participated in the local 4-H club. Jane’s parents instilled a strong work ethic in their children.

Jane attended high school in Winthrop, Minnesota, and college at the University of Minnesota. She earned a master’s degree in special education at the University of North Carolina.

Jane met her partner, John, after college, and married him in 1979. After graduate school, they moved to Portland, Oregon. Jane spent most of her career at Alameda School, teaching special education and then fifth grade. Based on an application Jane worked on, Alameda received a national School of Excellence award. She organized the first primary school computer lab in Portland. You could tell she was a teacher from the way she treated kids. She talked to them as equals, listening to them and extending her calm kindness to each interaction.

In her spare time, Jane was an adventurer who loved cycling and kayaking. She and John enjoyed a mid-career round-the-world travel adventure, then worked In Santiago, Chile, for two years. While in Chile she taught in an international school, Nido de Aguilas (Eagles’ Nest), traveled the country and enjoyed dancing tango, merengue and salsa.

About a year after their return, Jane suffered a cerebral aneurysm that affected her right side, but not her kind and loving character. Jane’s disability led her into a quieter and more creative life, accompanied by her affectionate and loving poodle, Annie. Remarkably, Jane taught herself to knit and sew one-handed, and crafted beautiful quilts and knitting projects, which she often gave to friends and family. She showed her love by marking people’s milestones: a quilt for a wedding, a teddy bear or sweater for a new baby.

When John and Jane bought an old wooden boat to restore, Jane delved into its history, getting in touch with previous owners and creating a photo and biography book they could share with other boating enthusiasts. She loved being on the water.

Donations in Jane’s memory are welcome. Some of her favorite organizations were:

• Zion Lutheran Church, Portland, Oregon;

• Columbia River Maritime Museum, Astoria Oregon;

• Forest Park Conservancy, Portland, Oregon.

People will remember Jane for her calm, generous, and determined spirit; her work ethic; and the tenacity that enabled her to create a rich and active life in spite of disability. She was a kind friend, caring sister, and loving spouse.

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