Janina Beth Thilges passed away on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 10:51 pm surrounded by her loved ones. Janina battled brain cancer like the true backpacker and hiker she was– she climbed the peak of Mount Radiation and Chemotherapy with speed, determination and resolve. Janina packed up her gear and left Helena to journey up the twin mountains of Brain Tumor Surgery (Great Falls) and Resection (Seattle, Washington). She continued to put one foot in front of the other despite the horrible side effects, fatigue and physical challenges. Janina went through numerous cancer drug options and stages of treatment along the long and arduous cancer trail. Janina demonstrated strength, stamina and fortitude for all to see- an inspiration on how to live. She loved her Montana surroundings and the people she encountered along the route deeply (Helena Residents, Neighbors, Crossroads Fitness, St. Peter’s Hospital, and Hospice). In the end, the terrain ultimately became too steep and rugged even for her. She looked up through the “Big Sky” to the Heavens– her ultimate destination– and left this earthly home behind.
Janina was born in Woodland, California on September 27, 1962 to Ralph and Charlotte Rago. She grew up in Davis, California. Janina attended Davis High School graduating in 1980. She then went on to the University of California- Davis to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. In 1995, she went back to school at the bequest of her husband to pursue a Master of Counseling degree from the University of Maryland.
Janina’s life in Davis included wonderful childhood friends and memories made on the street where she grew up. Additionally, her family and extended family shared with her a love of the great outdoors and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. No mountain range could ever compare to her beloved Sierra Nevada. Janina fished, hiked, camped, backpacked, skied and vacationed in a cabin there with her parents, grandparents, brother and Aunts and Uncles.
Unfortunately and fortunately, her career pursuits took her far away from the West. Janina was in Fairfax, Virginia working as a probation counselor when she met Michael Thilges on a blind date. After a short dating period, Janina married Michael on February 5, 1993. As Michael was an active duty Army officer, the two began a life together of military service, travel, moves, and adventure. Three years later, their only child, a son, Devon was born on October 27, 1996. Janina was blessed with 24 years of marriage and over 20 years of parenthood. She cherished both of them with zeal.
Janina had many loves besides her intense love of family and friends. Janina loved food (pizza), Star Trek, Star Wars, cats, small dogs, hiking, back packing, traveling, scrap booking, reading, NFL’s 49ers, the Pac 12 Conference, physical fitness/working out and an adult beverage or two with her family, friends, and neighbors.
Janina’s cancer symptoms surfaced on September 28, 2015. She was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer November 10, 2015. In the face of this adversity Janina never waivered. Her determination to live each day with joy and laughter was her mantra. She faced her prognosis with courage, strength and an amazing sense of humor. Throughout, Janina has been supported, encouraged, and loved in a multitude of ways by so many people. This never went unnoticed by Janina. She was ever so grateful to everyone. At no point did Janina feel regret in not having expressed her sincere love of her friends and family. She told them often and with regularity. Janina especially appreciated the Christian prayer and faith that numerous persons blessed her with daily.
Janina is survived by her husband Michael, son Devon, father Ralph and brother Mark. She is also survived by her brothers-in-law, Greg Thilges, Ritchie Thilges, Grant Tschetter and Ron Parsons; her sisters-in-law Mary Beth Rago, Ann Tschetter, Lori Simpson, Michele Parsons, Michelle Kremer; her nieces Casondra Thilges, AnnaMarie Rago, Allison Tschetter, Brooke Baker, Kari Simpson, Erin Ulrich, and Kuleen Smith; her nephews Travis Thilges, Gabe Tschetter, Brandon Ulrich, Ethan Simpson and Lucas Parsons; her Aunt and Uncle Norman and Elizabeth Henry and Aunt Janet Henry and her cousins Lisa Henry and Henry Norris Jr..
The family would like to wholeheartedly thank the staff, doctors and nurses in the cancer treatment center and the oncology unit at St. Peter’s Hospital for their kindness, caring and professionalism. Specifically, Janina admired and respected Dr’s Cuppino, Weiner, Clark and Dr. VanGilder (Surgeon, Great Falls). Nurse Navigator Emily Burton was an amazing professional and friend to Janina, too. Janina’s Hospice care was also provided by St. Peters. Janina appreciated her nurses, home health aides, chaplain, social worker and occupational therapist. Thanks and gratefulness to all of them for seeing her through her challenges and changes until her very last minutes on this earth.
Per Janina’s wishes, she was cremated shortly following her death.
A funeral liturgy service will be held at 12:30 pm, Friday, July 21, 2017 at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 120 West Riggs Street, East Helena. Rite of Committal will immediately follow Janina’s funeral liturgy at 2:00 pm at the Montana State Veteran’s Cemetary, Ft. Harrison VA, Helena. Janina’s urn and ashes will be interned in the columbarium (wall).
Please visit www.helenafunerals.com to offer a condolence to the family or provide a memory of Janina.
Flowers may be sent to St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church prior to the Friday Funeral Liturgy Service. However in lieu of flowers, Janina’s wish for memorials was to be able to assist her son’s fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) at the University of South Dakota in their annual efforts to support St. Judes Children’s Hospital. TKE chapters across the United States raise funds to support St. Judes in the fight against childhood cancer and the conduct of research to combat these devastating diseases . Cards and memorials may be sent to Janina’s husband Michael at 4324 Fox View Loop, Helena MT, 59602. Checks can be made out to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Thank you all in advance.
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Kim Pullman says
Janina was such an amazing person! We knew her and loved her at Crossroads for her zeal and genuine enjoyment of moving and physically challenging herself. Friendly and outgoing, she was one of the great people to have in class, enriching the experience for everyone present.
Many thanks to Janina’s family for sharing her journey with cancer – the example of the whole family is a testament and example of the best that humanity can offer one another, and inspiration for what can be done when it is necessary, perspective on our own troubles. Your family encourages all of us to be brave, stay the course, and love every moment and each other. We love all of you, and pray for comfort and peace during this time of loss.
XOXO
Kim Pullman, Body Attackers, Steppers, fellow “gym rats.”
Taylor Wiley & Austin Lindeman says
Taylor Wiley & Austin Lindeman purchased the Love Everlasting Bouquet for the family of Janina B Thilges.
Anonymous says
Tender Tribute was purchased for the family of Janina B Thilges.
Anonymous says
Enchanted Cottage was purchased for the family of Janina B Thilges.
Joe Chiles says
To the Rago and Thilges families. Our deepest condolences and prayers for all of you for the loss of Janina. Joe and Joanne Chiles
Mary Kunnary says
Just few words to say what a joy it was to have known Janina. She was always full of live. God Bless her until we meet again, Janina. God’s Blessings.
Mary Kunnary (Crossroads)
Julie Rose says
Janina and I worked as Park Rangers together in 1983. We were known as the “G-18ers” after the coordinates of our Yosemite mobile home space. We worked together in the Valley Visitor Center, and loved to host parties and play tricks on each other. One funny trick was (for some reason?) we had a mannequin ranger that was hidden in different places. Janina scared me by putting it in the projector room of the amphitheater. Her lust for life was so evident in the years I knew her. My thoughts are with you.