Jana Sue Breneman

Jana Sue BrenemanApril 1, 1952 - December 2, 2018
Jana Breneman passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 2 at her home in Independence, surrounded by her husband and sons. She was 66 years old. Jana is survived by her loving husband of 36 years, Randy Breneman; her two sons, Sam Potter and Robbie Breneman; her three grandchildren, Lucas Potter, Kai Breneman, and Alaina Potter; and countless friends and family who she loved with her whole heart.
Jana, born Jana Sue Ricketts, was born on April Fools’ day of 1952 in Toledo, Oregon. She was the daughter of the late Herman Ricketts and Rosemary Lawson Ricketts.
Jana grew up in Springfield, Oregon, graduating from Thurston High School in 1970. Jana and Randy moved to Independence in 1980. They were married on November 26, 1982. They got married the day after Thanksgiving - she picked that day because it was the day after the holiday, and so she was sure she would be able to remember the date. Except...Thanksgiving moves every year, so her plans were foiled. But the family has enjoyed the story ever since.
Jana’s family, friends, music -- and Pepsi -- were the loves of her life. She would spend countless hours working on her music collection, ensuring that she had all of her different types of media catalogued in her computer so she could tell you whether she had a song on a 45, a CD, an album, an 8-track, or a cassette. Any of you who have been to her house knows about the “music room” and what it holds.
Aside from her music, she was the first person to offer help to someone that she thought needed assistance. She would never put herself first - even when she probably should have - because she was constantly watching out for the needs of others. It was this selflessness that made Jana such a special person, that we all loved so much.
So, it makes sense that she worked most of her career in public service. While she spent some time in other agencies, she worked the longest helping customers at the Secretary of State Corporation Division. There she made great friends who would call her up to enlist her help and expertise. Jana had such a strong work ethic, she always went to work, even if she was sick. Jana worked for the State of Oregon for 28 years and 10 months before her retirement.
Jana loved a lot. She loved going to the casino. She loved playing pinochle and Yahtzee and was way more competitive than she ever let on - just beat her at Yahtzee once and you’ll figure that out. She loved country music and a nice cold can of Pepsi - never a plastic bottle. She loved talking to all of you on the phone, and loved it more when she could visit you or when you could visit her.
There will be a celebration of life for family and close friends for Jana on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the Siletz Tribal Community Center, located at 402 Government Hill Road, Siletz, Oregon. Per Jana’s request, this is a casual event. As she would say, “Come as you are.” In lieu of flowers, Jana would want you to take a family member out to the casino, drink a Pepsi, and try to win a little money.
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