Janet Lewis Fluehe

On October 12, 2022, a soul of incredible strength and beauty left this earth. She leaves a void that can never be filled, but a legacy of strength that can never be matched.

Born July 12, 1938, in Salt Lake City, Utah, daughter of Reed D. and Vilate Lindstrom Lewis, she was the second of four children. She was a strong-willed and determined child that at times often gave her parents a run for their money. Hard work was something taught to her by her parents and in which she took great pride. As a teenager, she worked in her father’s grocery store, which is where she met her lifetime sweetheart.

After being asked if she would like to go rabbit hunting for a first date that was it.
On September 10, 1956, Janet Lewis and Richard Fluehe were married at the young age of eighteen. Richard dedicated his life to caring for her. Their love was strong, committed, and one that stories should be based upon. Like any real marriage, they could bicker and give each other grief, but the love, tenderness, and devotion were always there. She worked for many years as a meat wrapper, and then at the VA Hospital in the kitchen delivering food to veterans. In their personal life, family time was everything to her. Whether hiking, going for long drives, taking train rides in Durango, or playfully sparring like a veritable martial arts master, she shared her spirit and fire with those around her. Her passionate love of gardening was even known to result in occasional seeds or plant starts that had been randomly pilfered for their yard.

After five years of building their foundation, they joyfully welcomed their first daughter. Soon another beloved daughter arrived with a cherished son to arrive a couple of years later. She sewed homemade dresses for her daughters, and heaven help anyone that messed with her baby boy. Camping trips, hikes, movies, crafting, and unyielding devotion to whatever her kids were choosing to participate in were her focus. While there was some questionable cooking and culinary surprises occasionally in store for the family, the heartfelt warmth and sweetness of her homemade bread always filled the air. Memories were made; some good, some difficult but the outcome was a family she dearly loved and cherished, and a family who dearly loved and cherished her.

She was ecstatic when grandparent-hood arrived; she was always chasing her grandkids around with a 30 lb. video camera on her shoulder like a wild paparazzo. She encouraged their imaginations and wild spirits and frequently participated in their crazy games. Grandkids were famous for faking sick to be able to go spend a day with Granny. Inhalers were lost in poker games and shotguns were requested to come down from over the fireplace. Many a cherished rides in the “boat” (aka The Lincoln Town Car) were undertaken to go to the mall for a walk, and good gossip sessions about the other women at the mall in between lunch and shopping were frequent to occur. More camping trips, visits to Seattle, and Madison to play and spend time with grandchildren not close by were treasured. Even a spontaneous snowball flower fight this past spring with a great-grandchild demonstrated how much love she had to give her family.

Life was not always easy on her, but she exuded strength and determination. She passed down strength to every one of her family members. She taught us to never let your fire burn out when life gives you the hardest moments because you can make it through anything. She showed us that simplicity is the good in life and that nothing can beat making memories. With every visit and photo she shared, she reminded us to savor the memories and to focus on the joy and love of the people around us. Her footprint will be forever imprinted upon our lives.

She is survived by her dedicated husband Richard Fluehe; daughter Lisa (Keith) White, son Scott (Tammy) Fluehe, seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; sister, Renae (Richard) Wright, brother, David (Martha) Lewis. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Linda, and her beautiful and much-loved daughter Denise.

We extend our gratitude to those who helped care for her in the last five weeks. St. Joseph’s Villa has angels on their staff who showed compassion and care for the dignity in the final stages of her life.

According to her wishes, there will be a private graveside service for immediate family on October 20, 2022. The interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens, Sandy, Utah close to the base of her beloved mountains.