Janet Marlene DeMoss Flinn, 76, passed away in her sleep, at home in Westcliffe, Custer County, CO, on Wednesday morning, August 26, 2020. Janet was born on June 3, 1944, in San Bernardino, CA. She was the daughter of Willis Glen DeMoss and Viola Hobson DeMoss. She was preceded in death by her father. Janet is survived by husband, Gale, her mother, Viola, born in 1920, a sister, Gail, a brother, Larry, her three sons; Bret (Leslie), Russell, and Garrett,
and three grandchildren; Ashley, Zachary, and Conor.
Janet and Gale met at Fowler High School in Kansas and started dating when she was a senior. Gale enlisted in the Army in 1961. After graduating Janet enrolled in the Cosmetology School of Liberal, Kansas,
and graduated November 1962. Janet and Gale were married on December 22, 1962, while he was home on a weekend pass. They moved to Colorado Springs where he was stationed at Fort Carson. Gale got shipping orders for Thailand. The couple packed up their belongings and moved back to Kansas. When Gale got his shipping orders he went to Vietnam, not Thailand.
Janet worked at Wenta Beauty Salon in Fowler until Gale returned home.
In June 1965, Janet and Gale moved to the Colorado Springs area again where Gale worked for Clifton Precision Manufacturing that built the guidance system for the Apollo Space Shuttle. As their sons Russell and Garrett reached school age, Janet got involved in their education, volunteering in the classroom.
The Flinn’s relocated many times with Gale’s career, living in Midland, TX, Roswell, NM, and Minneapolis, MN. During those years, Janet worked as a teacher’s aide, helping teach math to first graders. She came up with some unique ways to explain the mechanics of math to first graders. She also volunteered in the schools, worked with children with special needs, and worked in a Montessori school with preschool children.
In March 2000, Gale retired from Enron and he and Janet moved to Westcliffe, CO, where they built a home in the Cuerno Verde area.
In retirement, Janet enjoyed woodcarving and quilting. She was a member of the Old Schoolhouse Quilt Club. She also did long-arm quilting. Some of her finest work was been displayed at the Labor Day quilt shows and she donated many quilted wall hangings to her church.
Janet was at one time, a member of the Friends Church in Fowler, Kansas, and later attended bible studies at Hope Lutheran Church in Westcliffe. The Flinn’s became very active at the Westcliffe Community Church. She also served as a county voting judge for the 2020 primaries.
She relished attending the sports events of her grandchildren. Zachery and Ashley – games of baseball, football and volleyball. Janet enjoyed bowling on occasion and substituted on a local team.
Janet was a very loving, caring and giving person. She loved life, loved her Lord, and was loved by many. She will be missed.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date.