DOB 07/19/1955

DOD 03/16/2026

Janette Rozann Watson

July 19 th , 1955 - March 16 th , 2026

Janette Rozann Hiatt was born July 19 th , 1955, in Julesburg Colorado to Lon and Carol

Hiatt. She had two older sisters Lona and Sherri, a younger sister Caren, and two

younger brothers Tim and Jon. The family moved from Julesburg to an irrigated farm in

the Columbia Basin Project located near the Connell area during 1965. Jan attended

grade school and then eventually graduated from Connell High School in 1973.

Jan always had a deep passion for artistic expression, which she explored through

numerous creative outlets throughout her life. Before the Pizza Station in Connell

became a restaurant, the building was previously home to a floral shop where Jan

worked, skillfully crafting beautiful floral arrangements. When the shop eventually

closed, Jan saw it as an opportunity to embark on her own entrepreneurial path. She

founded her own floral business, “Delight Hills Florals,” where she continued to share

her artistic talents with the community.

While managing her business, Jan also found joy in exploring watercolor painting and

colored pencil drawing which she had taken up early in her marriage to Bruce that he

had encouraged her to pursue, which further fueled her creative side. Her artistic

curiosity led her to new crafts—she learned to knit baby blankets for her grandchildren

and crafted warm hats for her husband. She even took on the unique hobby of

decorating eggs collected from her own geese and chickens. Throughout all her

pursuits, art remained a constant source of inspiration in Jan’s life.

Jan’s artist influence included Rustic Realism, Folk Art, and Botanical styles using

watercolor and fine-art colored pencil media. Jan’s subjects came from her rural farm

background and lifestyle living on her Eastern Washington dryland wheat farm. They

included her chickens, antique farm equipment, grandpa’s farmstead, her garden

flowers, and the wildflowers from the surrounding countryside. Jan also drew and

painted related subjects that interested her or what she saw while traveling, but she

always grounded her roots of her home on the farm.

“As an artist I seek to share my love for nature, rural heritage and the rural lifestyle.

When I look out and see the beauty around us, I am awed by the intricate beauty of all

living plants and animals. When I see nature’s beauty, I strive to replicate this beauty

and bring it to you.”

Though art filled Jan’s days, her family was always her greatest joy. She cherished her

husband, children, and grandchildren, finding fulfillment in the memories they made

together and the lively family gatherings that brought them close. At the core of her life,

her greatest joy and love in life was her family, her children, and grandchildren. She

said it best in a note she left behind in her personal bible:

“I was put upon this earth to have my beautiful children! I have 3 handsome boys and 1

beautiful daughter! I love each of them so much! And now I have 7 wonderful

grandchildren. What a gift!”

Jan is survived by her husband, Bruce Watson, of 40 years on the family farm north of

Kahlotus. Her three sons and one daughter. Austin Koehler (Kristie McPherson) of

Olympia, Washington and his daughters Samantha and Harmony. T.J. Koehler (Jen

Rittenhouse) of Puyallup, Washington and their daughters Stella Mae and Drew. Lee

Koehler of Olympia, Washington. Alexandra Shaeffer (Brad Shaeffer) of Kahlotus,

Washington and their children Beaudi, Blair, and Bri’Elle.

Jan was preceded in death by her father Lon Hiatt and her mother & stepfather Jim and

Carol Dineen.

A private family graveside was held March 19 th , 2026 in Kennewick at Desert Lawn

Cemetery, and a memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 29 th , 2026 at the

Seventh Day Adventist Church in Othello at 11:00 a.m. with a reception and lunch to

follow.