Jannette Irene Swensen

CORVALLIS - Jannette Swensen, 79, passed away at the Autumn House in Corvallis of natural causes with her family by her side on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011. She was born to Ezra Harding and Francis Squires on June 29, 1932 in Helena, Mont. She was raised mostly in the Bitterroot Valley and attended schools in Hamilton, West Yellowstone, Charlos Heights and Darby.

She married Leonard Zito on August 29, 1947 in Missoula, Mont. From this union came nine loving children. Together they worked the family ranch in the Bitterroot Valley raising sugar beets and cattle. Jannette was the only woman truck driver to make the trip to deliver beets to the local beet dump. They later divorced.

She married James Swensen on January 28, 1977 in Orofino, Idaho. They divided their time between the Bitterroot Valley and Sweet Grass, Mont., raising cattle and wheat.

She enjoyed her family, cooking many memorable holiday and Sunday dinners, her many pets and various crafts.

She was preceded in death by her husband, two infant sons, two infant daughters, parents and grandson, Tyson Zito.

She is survived by her children John (Laura Lee) Zito of Greybull, Wyo., Cora Ann (Todd) Peterson of Hayden Lake, Idaho, Linda (Alan) Lear of Corvallis, Len (Angie) Zito of Corvallis, Zayne (Kimmie) Zito of Missoula, numerous grandchildren, great grand children and great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons Jeffrey and Lance Brenneman, Josh Thomas, Gary, Jason, Larry and Ryan Zito.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons, Michael Lear, Buck Thomas, Leonard, Nathan, Kristopher, Johnathan and Paul Zito.

We would like to thank Christy, Ruby and the many staff members at the Autumn House that helped care for our mother and grandmother over the last three years.