Jane Schwencke, loving wife, beloved mother, dear family member, special friend, and longtime Port Townsend resident died peacefully after a week of hospitalization for congestive heart failure with lung complications (not COVID-19). She was able to say goodbye to many in her family before being welcomed into the arms of her Rock of Refuge, Jesus Christ.
Jane was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and at 8 years of age she moved to Port Townsend as did many of the Sievert family. She lived for a time in the big “pink house” on San Juan road near the golf course just down from Del’s grocery. She enjoyed walking from there to school with her lifelong friends. Jane graduated from Port Townsend High School where she was an honor society member, song queen, active in drama, pep club, student government and many other activities. She attended Western Washington State College in Bellingham where she made many loyal friends while she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. She graduated, was married to Konrad, and started teaching kindergarten all in a matter of a couple weeks.
However, after giving birth to her first child Lisa, Jane gave up her career as a school teacher to become a stellar stay-at-home mom. Jane put her education background to work raising four girls, showing them how to love, modeling a servant’s life, and teaching them that they could achieve their dreams. Even in the final moments of her life Mom was still caring for her girls, with a phone call to check if Fara got home safely.
Jane was an active member at Grace Lutheran Church where she taught and participated in Bible classes, Vacation Bible School, Lutheran Women’s group, sang in the choir, and enjoyed the monthly Birthday Club with many fellow Grace members. Jane enjoyed cooking food for potlucks, receptions, and volunteering to help where needed at church or other places like Holden Village Lutheran Retreat Center in the Cascades.
Jane and her husband Konrad kept the family active in the outdoors enjoying skiing, hiking, sailing, camping, traveling, backpacking, coaching softball, swimming and walking with friends. She was active in Girl Scouts leading a memorable hike to Seven Lakes Basin and was also director of a weeklong camp at Old Fort Townsend.
Besides her busy family life Jane found time to commit to Jefferson County Republicans. She served as chair during the Reagan Administration and was precinct committee officer for many years. She was passionate about the freedoms we enjoy in this nation and during election years Jane worked the polls. Jane was also part of the “original” food co-op, traveling to Seattle to buy healthy food in bulk to distribute to families in the Port Townsend group.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband Konrad Schwencke who she lovingly cared for through eight years of dementia, her parents Martin Haugen and Lillian Sievert, and brother David Haugen. She is survived by her four daughters: Lisa Tuengel (Brad), Fara Schwencke, Greta Kocol (Ron), and Karla Kloes (Dean). She is also survived by grandchildren: Marcus, Martin, and Marie Tuengel; Sarah DeBord (Jeff); Zeke Schwencke (Sarah); Benjamin, Jacob, and Noah Kloes; and great-grandchildren: Claire, Willow, Rowan, and Natalie DeBord; and Grayson August Konrad Vangeloff. Survivors also include brother Richard Haugen of Colorado Springs, Colorado, sister-in-law Ramona Haugen of Indio, California, and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews.
Special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and CNAs that took such good care of Mom at Jefferson Healthcare. The family is so appreciative of the love you extended to the whole family.
Memorials may be given to The Lutheran Hour, or Grace Lutheran Church sound system, 1120 Walker St. Port Townsend.
A memorial service in thanksgiving for Jane’s life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9.
