Jan Marie Sergeant, 73
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 hour, 42 minutes AGO
Jan Marie Shafer Sergeant was born on March 10, 1953, in Jefferson, Wisconsin, to Vaughan Shafer and Irene Shafer. She was raised in Hungry Horse, where her early years helped shape the life she would go on to lead. Many who knew Jan throughout her life, including her classmates and friends, knew her by her Shafer name.
Jan dedicated much of her professional life to caring for others as a registered nurse. She retired from the UCSD La Jolla Infusion Center, where she devoted herself to helping patients through important and often difficult moments in their lives. Her work in nursing was a meaningful part of her life and reflected the difference one person can make through compassion and care.
Outside of her career, Jan enjoyed reading and spending time in Ocean Beach, California, where she had made her home for the last 13 years. Ocean Beach held a special place in her life, providing a community and a setting she enjoyed throughout her later years.
Jan’s family was an important part of her life and legacy. She is preceded in death by her parents, Vaughan and Irene Shafer, and her brother, Craig Shafer.
She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Cydney Dembowski and son-in-law, Joseph Dembowski, of Las Vegas. She was a cherished grandmother to Jaxton Dembowski and Josephine Dembowski, who will carry her memory forward in the years to come. Jan is also survived by her brothers, Terry of Kalispell, Ron of Olney, and Mark of Whitefish.
Jan passed away in early October 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, meaningful work, and connections that will continue to live on through the people who knew and loved her.
Jan will be remembered for her years of service as a nurse, her love of reading, her Montana roots, and the time she spent in the coastal community of Ocean Beach. Though she is no longer physically present, her memory will remain in the hearts of her family, friends, classmates, and loved ones.
May Jan’s memory bring comfort to all who loved her. Her life touched many, and she will be deeply missed and forever remembered.