Kenneth M. Janson

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved Kenneth Michael Janson. Ken was laid to rest surrounded by his loving wife and daughter at home in Sonoma on October 18, 2021. He was born in the summer of 1961 to Swedish immigrants in San Francisco, on the birthday of their newly adopted country, July 4th. Ken was a gentle blond-haired, blue-eyed baby with boundless energy and an infectious dimpled smile.

As a boy, Kenny enjoyed exploring the hills of Marin with his younger brother Lenny. They created a sports court with their friends in the neighborhood cul-de-sac. Enrolled at Reed Union Schools in Tiburon, he was a curious and engaged learner who actively participated in Boy Scouts and Little League. Ken thrived in being active and was a gifted athlete, skier, hiker, and swimmer who developed an adventurous personality playing team sports and enjoying the outdoors.

Ken participated in Mogul Ski Club with yearly ski weeks in Squaw Valley & Sugar Bowl. This led to a family cabin at Donner Lake, built with his dad and brother over many summers. After high school, they moved to Sonoma where Ken attended Sonoma State University. During college, Ken met a local Sonoma girl who shared his love of adventure. She eagerly joined him on trips to the snow, beach, mountains, city and beyond. Influenced by the energy crisis of the 70’s, and his deep caring of the environment, Ken received a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Solar at SSU.

After college, the adventure continued, and Ken convinced Christine to move to sunny San Diego. They packed up their possessions into both cars and camped their way down the California Coast with no jobs or places to live. Within a day or two, they had settled into separate apartments and found jobs. In So Cal, Ken spent a couple of years developing his passion for woodworking while Christine continued her design studies. He enrolled in a men’s softball league where he played his favorite sport with friends and Christine in the stands. A couple years later, the couple moved back north to San Jose, and enjoyed the exciting life of Silicon Valley where Ken opened his first wood shop and found his true calling. Starting in business furniture and advancing to custom home projects, Ken began to build for pro athletes and tech executives all over the SF Bay Area. Drawn to his incredible portfolio of successful projects, clients often became captivated by Kens kind nature and honesty. He preferred working on small, one-of-a-kind projects where he could develop the design with an appreciative client. It was a career he loved, which showed in the beautiful creations built with his wonderful mind and strong hands.

Ken & Christine were married in 1990 and shortly thereafter moved back to Sonoma to start a family. Raising his children and participating in their busy team sports schedules; he coached, cheered, and watched eagerly. Many baseball, basketball, soccer and football games with Cameron and soccer, basketball, softball and volleyball with Kiana. Weeknights were filled with practices and weekends were filled with games or a boating trip to the many lakes all over northern California. Marrying into a large extended family, Ken often hosted many gatherings at their home in Sonoma. Ken & Christine shared a love for design and were not afraid to work hard building it. They founded Janson & Janson and developed a successful collaboration together. He will be remembered for his handsome blue eyes, warm smile, quick wit and strong hands. Ken was most happy on a sailboat, camping in the woods, hiking a mountain or traveling the world.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 31 years, Christine and their children, son Cameron Janson and daughter Kiana Janson, father Roland Janson, brother Lennard Janson (Kris), cousins in Sweden; Roberto Losciale (Marie), Michael Losciale (Lisalot) and John Losciale, In-laws Donna DeRosier (Bruce), Debbie Emery (Mark), Dan Dallara, Nancy Davis, Ed Dallara, Matt Dallara, and many nieces and nephews, pre-deceased by his beloved mother Gwen Janson and brother in laws Richard Dallara and Nathanial Davis (Nancy).

A private family celebration will be arranged at a later date.

Donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Network at www.pancan.org.

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