Janet Evelyn Maxwell Tobler

1939-2017

Janet Evelyn (Maxwell) Tobler returned to the loving arms of her Heavenly Father on Monday, October 23, 2017. She left this mortal existence at the age of 78, after a lengthy illness, to join her loved ones who had passed before her.

Janet was born January 18, 1939, to Gilbert Verl and Evelyn Walton Maxwell in Murray, Utah, the last of 5 children. She spent her growing up years in Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, CA. She met her husband, Lawrence (Larry) Grant Tobler, through mutual second cousins that set them up on a blind date. He was in the U.S. Navy stationed in Alameda, California at the time, and was in Salt Lake on a weekend leave. They married a short time later, September 29, 1956, in Reno, NV., residing in Alameda, CA until Larry completed his Navy service. They were later sealed for eternity in the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple on August 3, 1976. After completing his service in the Navy, they returned to SLC, where they started their family of 5 children. Janet aspired to become a fashion model and did some of that prior to her marriage. Once she was married, the only thing on her mind was to be a wonderful wife and mother. Even while they lived in California, prior to having children, Larry didn’t want her to work, as she would have to ride the bus and he was afraid she would be mugged.

Larry was employed by General Electric Co, which required several moves from SLC to Boise, Id, to Pocatello, Id, then on to Tucson, AZ in July 1984. They wanted to live in Arizona, as their daughter, Sandy, had moved to Mesa a few months earlier and had the only grandchild at the time, whom they wanted to be close to. All the “kids” followed them to Arizona within a year. They are a close family that enjoys being in the company of each other.

Janet had many spiritual gifts and talents that blessed the lives of all those around her. She was positive and had a cheerful countenance. She was always serving someone, from her husband and children to neighbors and church members. She would strike up a conversation with strangers while traveling and enjoying life. Her artistic talents created many beautiful paintings, most of which were of the Southwest, which she loved. Her daughter, Sandy, commissioned her to do many paintings for her clients as an interior designer. Some of them are displayed in the American Express offices in Phoenix. She loved to play with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and have them come to visit. Many happy trips and memories with Grandma and Grandpa were made. She played the piano and violin and loved music. She used to dance to the Big Bands in Salt Lake and liked Jazz.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints She served in many Church positions in the Relief Society, Primary, and was a Young Women’s advisor. It was a long-time dream to have a Temple built in Tucson. That finally came to be a few months ago, but she was not able to attend due to health issues.

We know she is in a better place, having a grand reunion with loved ones who have passed beyond the veil. We know we will see her again, when we too, shall pass onto a greater and peaceful life.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Lawrence Grant Tobler: their daughter, Sandra (Greg) Jensen, Reno, NV; son, Larry (Kelly) Tobler, Henderson, NV; son, Alan (Martha) Tobler, Tucson, AZ; son, Bryan (Christine) Tobler, Tucson, AZ; son, Gary Tobler, Tucson, AZ…..As well as 16 grand and step-grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Verl and Evelyn Maxwell, 2 brothers, Gilbert and Reuel Maxwell, and sister Barbara Nacey. Two step-grandchildren preceded her in death, Brock and Garrett Wray and a baby granddaughter, Heidi.
The family would like to thank all those who tenderly cared for Janet and visited her the past few months of her life.

A private Graveside Service will be held Saturday, October 28, 2017 @ 9:00 at Binghampton LDS Cemetery, 4001 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson. An Open House to pay respect to family will be held at the home of Bryan Tobler, 4775 S. Manning Camp Court, Tucson.

In lieu of flowers, Janet has expressed you donate to the LDSPhilanthropies.org or the National Kidney Foundation.