October 6, 1942 – September 15, 2026
Janette Rae (Johnson) Bier, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, singer and friend, passed away peacefully on Sept. 15, 2026, at Sunfire Ranch in the Crystal River Valley near Carbondale, Colorado.
Janette was born on Oct. 6, 1942, in Minden, Nebraska, to John O. and Selma Johnson. She grew up on the family farm outside of Hildreth, Nebraska, where she developed a deep appreciation for family, hard work, animals, church and community … values that remained part of her throughout her life. She graduated from Hildreth High School in 1960 and went on to graduate from Kearney State Teachers College in 1964. She later attended Colorado State University where she earned a masters degree in administration.
Janette was a high school business teacher and administrator in Vail, Colorado, where she also raised her two children, Jon and Jaymeson Janske, with their father James Janske. Teaching was an important part of who she was, and she brought to it the same patience, kindness and generosity that she brought her family and friends. Having sung professionally, Janette was also a well known singer in the Vail community and the Crystal River Valley.
In 1990, Janette married her soulmate, Jeff Bier, and made her home in Carbondale and Redstone. Together they shared a life filled with family, community and the beauty of the mountains. Together they hiked, skied, biked, danced and immersed themselves in friendship and community. In Redstone, Janette was able to continue her love of singing, both in church and with various musical groups in the valley. Janette was a past president of the Redstone Community Association, co-founder of the Redstone Ice Rink and on the Board of Directors of the Redstone Historical Society.
Above all, Janette treasured her family. So proud of her roots, she adored her Nebraska relatives and all of her grandchildren. She was the grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin who showed up, encouraged, cared and gave her time so generously. Her family knew how deeply they were loved, and that love remains one of her most enduring gifts.
Janette was preceded in death by her mom and dad, John O. and Selma Johnson; brother, Jerry; and son, Jon. She is survived by her daughter, Jaymeson (Jason) Sewell; her husband, Jeff; her stepchildren, Abbey (Nathan) Ziv and Oriana (Tyler) Moebius; daughter-in-law Cindy Janske; her grandchildren, Cameron and Brody Leo, Asher, Lexi, Bella and Taj Moebius, Ollie and Amos Ziv, Audrey and Selma Janske and Rio and Stella Sewell; and her siblings, Jack Johnson, June Loschen and Joyce Albers.
She leaves behind a family who will miss her deeply, along with the many friends, former students, church community and the people she touched throughout her life.
Janette’s life was defined not only by what she accomplished, but by her infectious smile and how she made people feel: loved, welcomed, supported and cared for. Her kindness and generosity will live on in the people she loved and in the many lives she quietly made better.
A memorial service celebrating Janette’s life will be held Oct. 12, 2026 at 10am at The Orchard in Carbondale, Colorado. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.