Bertha "BJ" AbsecBJ was born on March 17, 1920 in Turton, S. Dakota to Peter and Cora Jansen; she passed away on June 18, 2015 in Spokane Valley, Washington at the age of 95. She resided in Kittitas and Ellensburg, WA from 1937- 1970.BJ married Martin Absec in 1971 and moved to Coeur d' Alene, ID; then Hayden Lake, and spent winters in Yuma, AZ; they also enjoyed traveling internationally. She was very talented and creative in singing, poetry, knitting, crocheting, and loved to dance, especially polka. She joyfully expressed her love of life, humor, and compassion to all who were around her and was a most loving and devoted mother, wife and friend.BJ is survived by her husband Martin of Spokane Valley and three children: Paula Ross of Redmond, WA, Shari Thomas of Wenatchee, and Kevin Absec of New York City; as well as three grandchildren: Jeff Ross of Spokane, Stephanie Moore of Ephrata, and Sean Thomas of Renton. She has seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. BJ was preceded in death by her two sons: Pat and Sandy; and her three brothers: Russell Jansen, Peter Jansen and LeRoy Jansen.A celebration of life ceremony will be scheduled in August.