Janna leaves behind her mom and dad (John and Debby Mandeville), her twin sister (Shawna Glendenning), her brother-in-law (Andrew Glendenning), several wonderful aunts, uncles and cousins, a 95 year-old grandfather, friends from the past, and many very kind-hearted and capable caregivers in various capacities in specialized homes and hospitals especially over these last few years.

Those of us who love and knew Janna best are grieving a bittersweet loss due to the illness she had to bear for so long. We recognized our very sweet-natured Janna from early in her life as one of the most genuinely thoughtful of others, kindest and giving people we have known. She and her sister loved each other dearly and the two of them kept mom and dad well entertained. We are unable to forget her dry humor and easy, endearing laugh. The comfort and joy for us is that she is home now with our Lord, free from the earthly body that made her life so progressively difficult.

Janna was born prematurely at 28 weeks and immediately impressed everyone with her fighting will to live, against the odds in her case. She worked hard to do things she “wouldn’t be able to do”. She constantly fought learning issues but studied hard anyway even after illness severely limited her ability and she couldn’t attend high school any longer. She loved her music, especially the tuba and trumpet. She showed much promise with those during her junior and high school years before her illness stole it away. So, she kept music alive with Karaoke and numerous CDs. She had a talent for writing stories while she was able and she read books throughout her life to satisfy a hunger to learn about a wide range of things. Professional help was an ongoing part of her life from early on. She fought hard against her illness even in the face of one failed treatment after another for several years. She sometimes wondered where God was when she felt so awful but never turned away. Many would. Janna truly loved the Lord and wanted everyone else to know Him. It all gradually wore her down and at 35 it was finally over following a massive stroke. We marveled at her perseverance and admired her character in spite of how difficult the illness was for her.

Thank you to all who helped make Janna’s life as comfortable as was possible. We are indebted to you. We miss you, Janna, and we look forward to seeing you again in the wholeness and happiness you have so deserved.

A celebration of Janna’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the Moser Funeral Service Chapel, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans, Colorado 80620.