Jane Roach Haveman

Jane Ellen Haveman (July 27, 1949 – June 28, 2018)
Jane passed from this world to her home in Heaven on Thursday, June 28th. She is now with her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ whom she trusted, loved and served for the most part of her life. Though much grief is felt by those who knew her and loved her, we “sorrow not, even as others which have no hope,” For we know and do rejoice that we will see her again.
Jane was born in St Paul, Minnesota to James C. Roach and Martha J. (Jacobs) Roach. The oldest of five siblings, she loved to talk about her home on Golden Lake in Circle Pines, where she enjoyed a carefree childhood of swimming, ice-skating, and memorable holidays. Her father passed suddenly when she was 13, leaving her mother to care for them alone. Jane would tell her family that in those dark days, she read a gospel tract and asked Jesus Christ to come into her heart. In the ensuing years, Martha, Jane and her sister Terry would forge a fellowship of quiet understanding, punctuated with pithy Minnesotan understatement.
An excellent student with a love of learning, Jane graduated from Centennial High School in 1967. Desiring to teach, she went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from St. Cloud State University, majoring in Comprehensive English and minoring in American Studies. She taught English in Monterey, Mexico travelled the states, and volunteered in the American Indian Curriculum Development Program, writing school curriculum which focused on the Native tribes of North Dakota. It was here she met her best friend, Jane Bosch. Taking a job in 1975 as a school teacher in Hague, North Dakota, Jane entered into what she described as the pivotal point in her life. She started reading the Bible and going to church, rededicating her life to Jesus Christ.
We met in 1976, and hit it off immediately, BOTH wanting to get on with our new life in Christ. We started reading the Bible together, praying and going to any church that preached salvation through Jesus Christ alone, which excluded baptism, confirmation, or good works.
We were married that year in Fridley, MN, thus starting a life together that was certainly an adventure for almost 42 years; we had a good life. Our first “home” was a ’69 Chevy van in which we lived for 3 months, living on Vancouver Island, BC then down to Lynnwood, WA to Open Door Baptist Church pastored by Ken Blue. It was there that we started our family, eventually having six children. We served as a TEAM for the Lord in Sand Point, AK, Bismarck, ND, Cheyenne, WY and then to Missoula where we have lived over 30 years.
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” My wife was a true “gem.” How helpful she was to me! All who knew her admired her and were blessed to be in her presence as she gave herself unselfishly to listen compassionately to anyone, regardless of their station in life. Her children will remember her most for her early morning prayers, her soft chuckle while she talked to her mother, siblings, or Jane on the phone, her love of sharing the gospel, and her enduring interest in their lives.
Although Jane suffered long and desired to be with her Savior, she struggled on (like the trooper she was) not wanting to leave me alone. That was Jane.
She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Andrew and nephew Jeff.
She is survived by her husband John, children; Tim, Sarah, David, Daniel, Rebekah, Rachel and their spouses, Karen, Spencer, Blair, Ashley, Joshua and Steve; along with 24 grandchildren and many friends all over the world. She will be missed.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, July 3rd , 11:00 am at Crosspoint Church, 7500 Mullan Road, followed by internment at Sunset Memorial Gardens. A reception will follow.