JANET ALICE BEST

Janet Alice Best, beloved wife, mother, Nana and Great Nana, passed from this life peacefully to heaven on June 15, 2023 surrounded by family at Boulder Community Hospital.

Janet was born on Oct. 12, 1935 in Ida Grove, Iowa. The only child of Lawrence and Doris Gove, she spent her early years on her parents’ family dairy farm before moving into town for her high school years. She attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she graduated in 1956 with a degree in music education. Jan was a member of Chi Omega sorority and Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity. While attending Drake, she met the love of her life, Archie (A.K.) Best. They married on June 3, 1956 in Ida Grove, Iowa.

Janet taught instrumental music to students throughout her career in Johnston, Iowa, Alpena, Michigan and Boulder, Colorado. She inspired many students, both young and old, in the classroom, in school performances, and in her private lessons for piano, clarinet and flute. Her on-going studies of the Kodaly Method of music education continued to shape her teaching career and students.

Jan’s love for music went beyond teaching: she also served as the organist for many years at First Congregational church in Alpena, Michigan; was an accompanist to many students, and in later years, found great joy in singing in the Jubilate Choir of Boulder, Colorado.

Beyond music, Jan led her daughters and grandchildren by example in her life of service and her commitment to educational opportunities for women, serving as President of the Alpena, Michigan branch of AAUW and in various leadership positions in chapter EY of P.E.O., where she was a 70-year member. She volunteered for more than 15 years at Boulder Community Hospital.

In their retirement, Jan and A.K. enjoyed many trips together both abroad and at home. They adventured together, shared their love of music and the outdoors for many years, and spent quality time with family whenever possible. Her love and commitment to her family and friends was profound; she leaves behind a living legacy in her daughters, grandchildren, P.E.O. sisters, church friends, prior students and others whom she touched with her wit, wisdom, grace and caring over her many years of influence. We will miss her dearly.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, A.K. Best, their three daughters, Suzanne Best Morgan (William) of Lone Tree, Colorado, Alecia Best Larson (Spencer) of Moraga, California, Elizabeth Best Christensen (Jon) of Bozeman, Montana; grandchildren Nicholas Lawrence Morgan (Laura), Kaitlyn Morgan Yonke (Brandon), Natalie Larson, Vanessa Larson Coffey (Luke), Mateo Larson, Ryan Christensen, Katherine Christensen; and great-grandchildren, Sarah and William Morgan.

A celebration of Jan’s life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 2 p.m., at Community United Church of Christ, 2650 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, Colorado. Donations in Jan’s memory may be sent to the P.E.O. Scholar Fund, P.E.O. Executive Office, Treasurer’s Dept., 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, Iowa, 50312.