Janet Blackler, 75

Janet Gail Blackler (née Sandmeyer), 75, passed away on March 17, 2025, in Bigfork. A woman of remarkable strength, independence, and humor, Janet lived a life deeply rooted in nature, music, and service.

She was born on Oct. 17, 1949, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. She developed a love for horses at an early age, and by the age of 13, she had already broken her first horse, an early sign of the determination and grit that would define her life. Her passion for the outdoors led her to spend a summer during college working as an assistant equestrian pack trip guide for the United States Forest Service. 

Janet started her college studies at the University of North Dakota before deciding to move to Missoula to continue her studies at the University of Montana. She spent a year playing guitar and singing in Missoula so she could establish residency before resuming her college studies. It was there she earned a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology.

She worked in several CPA firms before founding her own tax and bookkeeping business and was an enrolled agent with the IRS.

Janet's love for nature never waned. She was an avid hiker and traveler who found joy in exploring wild and far off places. Her involvement with Back Country Horsemen and numerous Montana Flathead Valley environmental groups reflected her commitment to preserving Montana's natural beauty. Whether on horseback during pack trips or working on trail projects, Janet gave back to the land that had always inspired her.

Janet is lovingly remembered by her sisters, Jill Conradson of Janesville, Wisconsin (and her husband, Ronald Conradson) and Patricia Kammeyer (and her partner, Robert Carlson) of Oak Park, Illinois; nephew, David Kammeyer; nieces, Emily Sumner, Claudia Calkins, and Sandra Gilbert and their families as well as her beloved dog, Kenai. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Blackler, whom she loved dearly for 47 years, and her parents, Dr. and Mrs. John Sandmeyer. A strong woman with a sharp wit and generous spirit, Janet left an indelible mark on all who knew her. 

Janet's life was celebrated in a private gathering at her home near Bigfork.