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Janet died
of breast cancer on May 4, 2007 with her devoted, loving husband Thom
Soule by her side. She was 55 years young and had much, much more to give
to this world. Despite crippling brain metastasis she never complained,
never looked back, giving as much as she could until she died. She never
lost her grace or dignity and always made others around her comfortable.
Janet was born on April 15, 1952 to Torleif and Emma Boe in Fosston, MN.
She was a graduate from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Duluth and worked
as a nurse until 1989. She earned a degree in Biology in 1977 from the
University of North Dakota and a master’s degree in Botany from the
University of Minnesota in 1981. She was awarded a PhD in Zoology (avian
ecology) from North Dakota State University in 1991. She taught sciences
as a sabbatical replacement at Itasca Community College and at the
University of Minnesota, Duluth. In 1992, she began working for the
Minnesota County Biological Survey with the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources. In 1998, she became the Regional Plant Ecologist for
the Northwest region of Minnesota. She remained in the position until 2006
when she took a medical disability.
Although most of Janet's education and professional life was botanical her
real passions were Zoology and writing about natural history to raise the
awareness and appreciation of others. She was an eloquent speaker, teacher
and writer. As a strong advocate for women in science, she was a role
model for others with her quiet unassuming but effective leadership.
Memorials may be sent in Janet’s name to Heifer International or Hospice
Care of Bemidji.
"It is only when we can believe that we are creating the soul that life
has any meaning, but when we can believe it--and I do and always
have--then there is nothing we do that is without meaning and nothing that
we suffer that does not hold the seed of creation in it.
---May Sarton
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