Janet Marie (Draper) Bruskotter, 71 of Great Falls, passed away on March 31, 2015 after a challenging but graceful battle with cancer. A Funeral Liturgy will be held Wednesday, April 8th at 11:00am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Father Dick Schlosser officiating.

Nana, as she was to be later called, was born on October 12, 1943 in Wolf Point, MT. The oldest child of Les and Irene Draper, she grew up alternating time between Wolf Point and the Draper family farm on Red Water "Crick" in McCone County. For as long as she was alive, the farm held a special place in her heart and she returned as often as life would allow to enjoy the peace and solitude that rural Montana provides.

Janet graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1961 and left for the big city to attend the College of Great Falls. She worked hard and earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and while at school, she met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Bruskotter. Shortly after she graduated, they were married on August 21, 1965 in Wolf Point. Their first child, Angie, was born in June of 1966 and Bob's work with Buttrey's moved them to Missoula, then Salt Lake City, and finally back to Great Falls where she would live the rest of her life.

After moving back to the Electric City, her husband became sick with cancer and waged a successful battle over the course of several years with Janet helping to take care of him They were not alone in their fight as countless fantastic medical professionals, friends, and family were with them the entire time. During the middle of that fight, they welcomed their second and last child, Mark, in January of 1969. Bob got better, went back to work and Janet stayed at home to take care of her children. Although not perfect, Janet was an excellent mother. Sometimes deeply annoyed, she would always help type the term paper, make a batch of cookies for a school activity, or run an errand at the request of her children which almost always came to happen at the last minute.

She was a talented and creative artist and, after Angie and Mark demanded less of her time, she explored many artistic outlets including ceramics, quilting, painting, and calligraphy. Janet created many beautiful pieces of art and crafts, but what she is most proud of, besides her family, is her efforts to successfully organize the first All Night Graduation Party for Great Falls High School held in 1985. Those parties still exist today and Janet hopes that her efforts may have saved a few lives along the way.

When she and Bob became empty nesters, they traveled a little, played cards and visited with old friends, but it was all a prelude to her greatest joy of becoming a grandmother. Nana loved having Robert and Melena living in Great Falls and went to every activity they had until she was no longer able. Towards her grandchildren, she was generous with her time and talents and showered them with gifts whenever she could. Maybe her greatest joy in the entire world was giving and receiving "sugar", her special phrase for the hugs and kisses she exchanged with Robert and Melena.

Nana was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her husband, Bob. She is survived by her brother, Bob Draper and his wife Marsha, her sister Mary Pipal and her husband Ron, Janet's daughter Angie Bruskotter, Janet's son Mark Bruskotter, his wife Elizabeth and their children, Robert and Melena.

Her family would like to thank all of her doctors, nurses, nurse’s assistants and every medical professional that helped her through her illnesses. Special recognition needs to be given to Dr. Benny Brandvold, Dr. Karl Guter, Dr. Kathleen Blair, and the entire staff at Peace Hospice. Your care and compassion were greatly appreciated. Finally, thank you to the entire Bruskotter and Draper families for your ceaseless love and support over the years. We always know you are there. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th Street South, Great Falls, MT 59405.

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