Jan Engelhardt (Magneson) suffered a severe stroke Saturday, June 15, 2024 at her Olympia home, and passed away peacefully in her husband Bill’s arms the morning of June 23, 2024 at Providence St. Peter Hospital. Her sudden death ended their nearly 12-year marriage, a love story sparked by a chance meeting at their 45th high school reunion.
Jan was born in Rush City, Minnesota, July 5, 1946, the third child of Harry and Verlie Magneson, joining a brother, John, and sister Mary. The family relocated to Washington state in 1954, residing in Burien.
Jan attended Sunnydale Elementary School and was an Honor Roll student at Highline High, where she and Bill were classmates, both graduating in 1964.
Their lives took divergent paths in the following decades: Jan in the transportation industry, Bill in broadcast journalism and media relations.
Jan earned an Associate Degree from Highline College, and was hired at United Airlines, first as a secretary and then promoted to what became a 40-year career as a United sales representative.
Working for United opened the door to travel the world, and in her words, “visiting wonderful, exciting places, forming great friendships.”
It was during this time that Jan overcame aquaphobia and became a certified scuba diver, a sport she loved. Coupled with her passion for travel, vacations always centered on diving trips to picturesque locales around the globe. She also took up photography, a hobby she excelled at for the rest of her life.
Jan’s sales career took her to Sacramento in 1985, then Portland in 2005. She retired from United in 2009.
The Highline Class of ‘64 reunion was on tap that summer. Jan was originally ambivalent about coming north for the Tukwila event, but her sister Mary (Highline Class of ‘62) persuaded her.
By random chance, Jan and Bill were seated together at dinner. Pleasant conversation, a handshake, and they went their separate ways – Bill to Olympia, Jan to Portland. But something had taken flight.
Not long after, they began a nearly year-long email relationship, which segued to an I-5 courtship, culminating with Bill’s proposal on New Year’s Eve 2011. They married in Portland the following October and melded their lives at Bill’s house in Olympia. Several remodeling projects (many initiated by Jan) transformed the house into a home that gave them great pleasure.
Over the next 11 (nearly 12) years, and despite painful family losses (Jan’s sister, Bill’s parents, his brother), there were many memorable times together. They shared everyday routines, not least of which were the morning newspaper, Mariners TV broadcasts, quiet dinners on the deck, Saturday date nights, and of course, their annual anniversary trips to Maui and Kauai.
“Romance at 65 is highly underrated,” Bill would often say, “and even better in the 70s.”
His nickname for Jan – Moonflower – is a story in itself, but reflected her cheerful, easygoing personality, and generous, compassionate and kindhearted spirit.
Jan is survived by her husband Bill, her brother John (and Charlene); brother-in-law Jim Maresh; nephews, nieces, cousins, a circle of longtime friends, and members of the United family. Loved by all who knew her.
“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.”
– Maya Angelou
