Janis Rhoads

Janis Rhoads passed away peacefully on August 12, 2026, surrounded by family and friends, with stories being told, memories shared, and a great deal of love in the room.

Janis was born May 24, 1950, in Pocatello, Idaho to Gail and Marylyn Rhoads. She was the oldest of five children, followed by her siblings Gary, Susan, Robert, and Terri.

Due to her father serving in the United States Marine Corps, Janis spent much of her childhood moving with her family from one military base to another. Perhaps that is where she first developed her sense of adventure and her love of seeing new places. After her father retired from the military, the family returned home to Pocatello—a place Janis would always love, especially because of its mountains.

Janis graduated from Pocatello High School in 1968 and later attended Idaho State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1974. She loved the arts and participated in several theatrical productions. One of her favorite roles was playing Winnie in Winnie the Pooh—a fitting part for someone who carried both creativity and a playful spirit throughout her life.

During her college summers, she took opportunities to work and explore beyond Idaho, which included time in California, New Mexico, and New York. Janis loved to travel but the mountains of home held a special place in her heart. She loved spending time in the Tetons, Sawtooths, Scout Mountain, and Yellowstone National Park. If you were to ask Janis what she loved about Pocatello, sooner or later she would tell you about the view of the mountains.

In 1978, Janis became Executive Director of the Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency (SEICAA), where she spent 19 years serving the people of Southeast Idaho. She helped rebuild the organization financially and dramatically expanded its ability to serve the elderly and the low-income underserved families throughout seven counties.

Under Janis's leadership, SEICAA helped establish Pocatello's public transit system, secure a senior citizens center, develop Meals on Wheels, the Retired Senior Volunteered Program, strengthen weatherization services, and expanded childcare resources. She was also a determined advocate for affordable housing, personally writing grants that helped make St. Anthony Place, Fountain Courts, and Blackfoot South Oak Apartments possible.

Her work eventually extended well beyond Southeast Idaho. Janis became a respected voice in Community Action at both the regional and national levels. She advocated for programs and legislation designed to give people greater opportunity, dignity, and hope.

In 1985, Janis married Roger Chase. Roger was drawn to Janis’s genuine love for her community, a quality that was so deeply woven into who she was. They remained together until Roger passed away in 2023.

Through Roger, Janis gained a daughter, Robin, and later, four grandchildren, Kirstine, Spencer, Wesley, and Jamin. They brought another generation of love and joy into Janis’s life.

After leaving SEICAA in 1997, Janis found another way to make a difference by working with children with autism and supporting their families. Even when health challenges eventually prevented her from working full time, some of those relationships continued. That was Janis. When she cared about someone, she didn't simply forget about them when the job was over.

Around 2000, Janis made another important decision in her life when she was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Her faith became a deeply meaningful part of her life, and she devoted herself to studying the Bible, strengthening her relationship with Jehovah, and continually trying to become a better person.

Janis had an extraordinarily creative side and a talent for making everything around her more beautiful. Her gardens and flower beds were always beautiful and meticulously cared for, and she knew plants in a way that made the rest of us realize how much we didn't know. She had a gift for decorating, fashion and painting. She was without question the fashionista of the family.

Janis was also incredibly determined. When she believed something mattered, she pursued it wholeheartedly. Whether it was helping others, improving her community, or planning her next adventure, her determination was one of her greatest gifts and a quality that shaped so much of who she was.

There will be no formal funeral services in keeping with Janis's wishes, family and friends will gather for a smaller celebration of her life at a later date. It will be a time to share memories, laugh at the stories that deserve to be told again, and remember a woman who lived with creativity, determination, compassion, and her own unmistakable sense of style.

Janis is survived by her stepdaughter, Robin (Morgan) Kent, her siblings Gary (Karen-Ann) Rhoads, Susan (Dennis) Fullmer, and Terri Cole; her grandchildren Kirstine, Spencer, Wesley, and Jamin; and many nieces, nephews, family members, and friends who loved her.

We like to imagine that Janis was welcomed home by her parents, Gail and Marylyn; her brother Robert, her brother in law Tyson Cole, her husband Roger; her grandparents, and, undoubtedly, a very enthusiastic collection of beloved dogs and cats who have been waiting for her.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donating to Simply Hope Family Outreach, in Janis's memory. https://www.simply-hope.com/donate 

Her family is deeply grateful to Symbii Hospice, Friends & Family Home Care, her niece Terrin Cole, and the family members and friends who surrounded Janis with such tender care during the final chapter of her life.

Janis loved beautiful places, things, animals, flowers, mountains, adventure, and people who needed a helping hand. She especially loved candles that lit up every room in her home, which provided her peace and tranquility as her health declined. She spent a lifetime leaving things a little better than she found them.

We will miss her terribly.

But when the flowers bloom, when the mountains come into view, or when someone has the courage to step in and help another person simply because it needs to be done, we will think of Janis, and smile.

Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting the Guestbook below.