Janet L. Eaton

Janet L. Schimke Eaton, 91, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2025. A service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church.

Janet was born on August 27, 1934, in Wenatchee, Washington. She grew up in Idaho Falls, ID and later attended the University of Washington, where she graduated with a B.A. in Medical Technology, before beginning a lifelong career in laboratory science. Janet worked first as a laboratory technician and later as laboratory manager at Home Office Reference Labs. She also served in several hospital and health care settings, retiring after decades of service in the field.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Janet’s life was filled with music, faith, and joy. She began playing piano as a child and continued throughout her life. She also played guitar, sang with the Kansas City Civic Chorus, and pursued competitive ballroom dancing well into her 70s. Faith was the steady foundation of Janet’s life. At Atonement Lutheran Church, she was a familiar presence in the pews, at Bible studies, and in the music ministry where her love of music and her strong faith often intertwined, as she shared her gifts through choir, handbells, and liturgical dance.

Janet expressed her creativity through sewing, lovingly making clothes for her daughters—from matching toddler outfits to Confirmation and prom dresses. She also had a love of travel, embracing the shift from the sometimes-challenging family road trips of her younger years to the joy of exploring new places as an adult.

Throughout her life, Janet was blessed with many deep and lifelong friendships, as well as the love of neighbors and church family. Though recent years limited her ability to stay connected, those bonds remained a cherished part of her life story.

Janet was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Jill Eaton. She is lovingly remembered by her children and their families: Mark and Penny Eaton, with son Jackson; and Lynne and Mike Zeman, with their children Rachel (and great-grandchildren Lyra and Orion), Hannah, Daniel, Joshua, and Jacob.

Her kindness, faith, and love of music will be deeply missed, and her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Metropolitan Lutheran Ministries.

To leave a special message for her family or to share a memory of Janet, please visit the guestbook below.