Janette Oke

by Laurel Oke Logan

  Because Janette was eligible for American citizenship, she could apply to take her family members to the United States with her. Laurel was the only one of the kids still in school and had always wanted a chance to live elsewhere. The timing seemed perfect.

  Lorne and Lavon would stay behind to attend Mountain View Bible College along with Terry. Grandmother Oke lived just across the street from the campus and would keep her eye on the boys.

  But it was hard for Janette to leave them behind, especially the twins. They were only seventeen, so young for breaking the close family tie. Though Edward and Janette knew they would miss him, Terry had already been out of the nest for a few years.

  Edward and Laurel left with the hired van packed tight with household belongings, while Janette stayed to drive the car accompanied by Jean and the twins who would make the trip and then return in time for school. Dear little Curious, now old and arthritic, had been given to friends from church who had a farm. The family knew he would be well taken care of and happy there, but it was still very difficult to walk away that last time.

  The van crossed east to Manitoba and then started south to the border. Janette and her crew drove directly toward Montana and met with a discouraging and lengthy fuss at the port of entry. The Chevy they were driving was not approved by U.S. emission standards, but after wasted hours and a promise that the boys would agree to return with the vehicle, they were allowed to cross.

  Edward and Janette met in Minneapolis, where Bethany Fellowship had invited the travelers to spend a night as guests. It was their first trip to the facility, and they were all impressed. Bethany was developed as a training institution for young people wanting to enter missions work. The idea of a profitable business to support the ministry had evolved later.

  Now the publishing company worked to expand and develop the training programs and to support missionaries sent out to various fields. It was as if there was a double bonus. First the publication of the Christian books themselves was a ministry, and then the profits from the book sales helped to train and support workers for mission fields abroad. Janette was sure she could not have found a better publisher and thanked God again for His leading.

  In Indiana, arrangements had been made for the purchase of a house across the street from Cliff and Eleanor Quantz, who had returned to Indiana some years earlier to pastor a church. It seemed almost providential how the paths of the two couples continued to intertwine over the years.

  The house needed a great deal of work since it had been vacant for a few months. Even the swimming pool in the backyard that had once been emptied now oozed with muddy rainwater and harbored a number of frogs and innumerable crickets. There was plenty of work to be done.

  Jean pitched right in as usual and the house was made “livable,” though it was some time before all the desired changes were made. The bank from which the home had been purchased had completely repainted the interior of the house, but the carpets and drapes were in need of immediate attention. Not long after the moving process was complete, Janette began using her decorating skills to make the home her own.

  In the meantime, Laurel began her junior year of high school in the United States, and the boys returned to Bible College in Didsbury. Janette looked forward intently to Christmastime when the boys would drive down, bringing Grandmother Oke to celebrate with them. Those family times together would be all the more cherished as her kids grew older and went their separate ways.

  In the spring of 1982, Edward was asked to speak at the graduation ceremonies at Mountain View Bible College, which prompted another trip back to Canada for a visit. It was so good to see those left behind again.

  That Sunday evening, Janette and Edward were invited to a friend’s home. When they arrived they were very surprised to find the gathering was being held for their benefit. Although their anniversary was not until May, the local church people would not miss out on the opportunity to share the celebration of their twenty-fifth anniversary. It was a wonderful surprise, and when they returned home, Edward and Janette put the money they had been given toward a patio set for the back deck.

  The spring of 1982 brought exciting changes for Laurel, and yet somewhat nerve-wracking moments for Janette and Edward. She had begun dating a young man named Marvin Logan. Janette chose to wait up on the evening of their first date and was ready for a mother-daughter chat, anxious for all the details of this new friend whom none of the family had met. The mother in her wanted to be sure that Laurel was safe at home, but they had long been sharing confidences about Laurel’s teen years, and Janette wanted to hear all about the evening. The first words were, “Was I ever wrong about him! Marvin and I will never be anything but friends. He didn’t even walk me to the door, just stood beside his car and waved as if he was afraid I would misunderstand his intentions.”

  But the relationship did develop. Edward and Janette were concerned because Marvin had not made a commitment to the Lord. And though they wanted to make him feel comfortable and accepted in their home, they were wary of the possibility of the relationship becoming “too serious.”

  After talking one evening with Roy Souza, a youth sponsor at church, Laurel decided on her own to have a chat with Marvin. Even though she enjoyed his company very much, it seemed important to let him know that they could never start a long-term relationship while he was not saved. Janette was relieved to hear that they had talked for some time about why Laurel was so determined that this was necessary—and that Marvin had accepted her terms for the relationship. And even more pleased to hear that he had requested that she get him a Bible.

  Janette and Edward were even more grateful when Marvin made his own personal commitment to Christ shortly after graduation from high school, though there was not much time to spend with him immediately afterward.

  Edward, Janette, and Laurel were planning a trip with Aunt Jean and Uncle Orville. In a two-week period, they drove through the American states until they reached the Atlantic Coast, seeing several of the historic sites along the way, and then proceeded north to the Canadian Maritime Provinces. For the first time, they were able to visit the area where the Steeves family had first settled in Canada.

  During this trip, they also had a chance to visit the home that Janette’s grandfather, Robert Steeves, had built for his wife, Kathryn. Though the house stood empty and well past its prime, it was thrilling to be able to walk through it, admiring the workmanship and reveling in the stories that they knew of its original occupants. There were also visits to local cemeteries, the museum home of William Henry Steeves, and an opportunity to visit with distant Steeves relatives.

  Though Laurel shared the excitement of the trip with her parents, aunt, and uncle, she was also anxious to get home to Marvin. And once there, all were astonished at how quickly things had progressed during their brief absence. Marvin had met regularly with Roy, the youth sponsor who had advised Laurel to set limits on the relationship, and had devoted himself wholly to his newly established faith. By the time they returned from vacation, he was committed to being baptized before the summer’s end and was actively growing in his personal walk of faith. Almost immediately, Laurel agreed to commit to the relationship. They had graduated in early June and were engaged by the twenty-sixth. Marvin had a private little chat with Edward and asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage—but not until after he had already discussed the idea with Laurel.

  During the same summer, Edward and Janette traveled back to Canada, to Winnipeg where his nephew Brent Hannah was going to be married. Grandmother Oke was also there, as were Terry and his new fiancée. This was the first time Edward and Janette had met Barbara Dieterman, and they were very pleased. Barbara was lovely, poised, and charming. Terry had made a good choice.

  It was with mixed emotions that Janette joined Laurel in making wedding plans. They feared that she and Marvin were too young and that there would be many hard adjustments ahead. But the wedding date was set for spring of the following year and that gave everyone
some time to adjust to the idea. In the fall, Marvin went off to Purdue University to study engineering, and Laurel enrolled at Bethel College, even signing up for and thoroughly enjoying a course taught by Edward.

  Lorne and Lavon moved to Indiana the same year, after completing two years at Mountain View, and began attending Bethel. Except for Terry, the family was together again, and when Christmas arrived and Terry came for a visit with his bride-to-be, the family was complete. The house seemed much more lively and full with the “extras” around that year.

  After Christmas, it was time to dive into wedding plans. The problem was that whenever she had free time, Laurel preferred to drive to Purdue to visit with Marvin. Janette was frustrated to realize how much there was to do and to have the date creeping closer and closer. In the end, she decided to cut some time out of the planning by hiring a woman to do the decorating.

  In May of 1984, Marvin and Laurel were married at St. Mark Missionary Church in Mishawaka, Indiana. They had four attendants each, and Laurel chose Janette to be her special “matron-of-honor.” When first asked, Janette was reluctant.

  “People don’t do that,” she said. But Laurel insisted.

  “I’m supposed to pick my best friend,” she maintained. “You are my best friend.”

  So Janette conceded, though she still worried about walking the aisle with the young girls. They eventually worked it out that Janette would be ushered in as the mother-of-the-bride and seated at the front. After the wedding party entered, she would slip quietly up and take her place beside Laurel. Then Edward, together with Rev. Cliff Quantz, was to perform the ceremony, and all three brothers were all involved as well. It would be quite a family affair.

  Many relatives and friends were coming from Canada for the occasion, and Janette had been busy arranging for places for them to stay during the few days they would be visiting. Aunts and cousins had volunteered to help in whatever way they could and the decorations began. For each table, June had made centerpieces out of hurricane lamps and silk flowers; streamers, mints and nuts completed the table decor. June had also created a beautiful centerpiece for the head table, bearing the shades of blue they were using in the wedding.

  The decorator was responsible for setting up the head table. The poor woman was devastated to find that the tables provided were smaller than planned for. She had already measured and cut the table covering before the mistake was discovered. She paced and worried, upset that she could not offer her usual perfect job.

  It no doubt added to her distress that the bride seemed unconcerned and the mother-of-the-bride was clearly too busy and determined not to be upset by minor details to fret with her. Janette calmly suggested that the underlying blue be slightly overlapped to cover the table, then covered with lace, flowers, and ribbons. And no one even noticed.

  At age eighteen Laurel and Marvin packed their few belongings and were ready to start for Purdue and their new life together. Edward’s voice broke as he prayed that they would be blessed in their marriage and in the coming years. It wasn’t easy to see the youngest of their family, and the first to be married, really leave home.

  Just two months later, Terry and Barb were married in Calgary. This time it was Barbara and Mrs. Dieterman who had the last-minute bustle. Janette was able to relax and enjoy the wedding.

  Barbara and her mother had done a wonderful job of planning, but Terry had the last word this time. When he led his bride from the front of the church after the ceremony, he did it in a style all his own. From what seemed to be thin air he produced white gloves, cane, and top hat—completely surprising Barb.

  After a short visit home to Hoadley, Edward and Janette returned with Lorne and Lavon to Indiana where the boys continued their studies at Bethel College. Terry remained in Alberta, beginning work at the Edmonton Journal in their advertising department and displaying an aptitude for both graphics and public relations. This came as no surprise to his family. As a youth he had enjoyed making intricate designs of cars and other graphics.

  Throughout these years, Edward was teaching full time at Bethel College and attending classes at Andrews University toward his Ph.D. Janette was increasingly involved with writing and speaking engagements. The book schedule kept her busy, and letters poured in that required answering. But the work continued to be rewarding.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Daddy

  “Janette, it’s daddy.” Sharon was fighting to keep her voice under control. “He was taken to the hospital with serious heart problems. The doctors can’t seem to do much for him. You probably should come home.”

  The remainder of the long-distance conversation with her sister was a blur for Janette. When the telephone handset finally dropped back into its cradle, she could not even begin to sort through her churning thoughts. The day’s list of things to be accomplished lay unheeded on her desk and her cup of coffee had cooled before she finally stirred herself into action. Necessary telephone calls needed to be placed if she were going to travel the nearly two thousand miles from Indiana back to Alberta.

  First she talked to Edward. Was there something she needed? She couldn’t think of anything—but she was having such a difficult time making her mind work.

  Next came the telephone calls to rearrange her other obligations so she would be free to catch the next available flight home. Everyone was accommodating, hoping that her father’s condition would improve quickly—hoping that her trip would go smoothly.

  Early in the morning, clutching the suitcase that had been packed in haste and with no idea how long her stay might be, she entered the crowded airport. Outwardly she could perform the necessary activities, say the proper things, and, hopefully, was not conspicuous in her heavy thoughts, but once the wheels of the airplane left the ground, time seemed suspended. Now the feelings that had been so guarded pushed their way back into her mind.

  What was it that Sharon had said? That Daddy’s aneurysm was actually larger than the heart itself? How long had he known? And why hadn’t she been told sooner?

  Long before the plane touched down onto its final stretch of asphalt, Janette’s yearning thoughts had preceded her to the farm. She could picture him there—standing just inside the door, waiting to welcome her, his blue eyes sparkling, as if to make up for the few words he would say. But she knew. She had always known how deeply she was loved and how tender the heart was in the aged and weathered body.

  His heart. Daddy had had a pacemaker for years. Now with nothing left medically for the doctors to do, he had been sent home again. Janette decided that might be good. Daddy would not be comfortable in the hospital—and yet it sounded so devoid of hope.

  “Oh, God,” she cried softly. “How could I ever stand to lose Daddy? But I trust You. And I want Your will,” she whispered. “Please bring about Your will for my daddy.”

  God’s will. What was God’s will for Daddy? She was sure of only one part of it. Oh, Father, her mind agonized, please make him ready. I’m not even sure if he’s ready for—for eternity.

  Again her thoughts carried her back, this time through many years. The little gray house that would always be home appeared, followed by a parade of memories. There was Daddy, tall and strong—and covered in afternoon sweat. The tired horses trudged back with their heads down, wanting only a cool stall, chop to eat, and plenty of water.

  But Daddy still had the strength for a smile. Even with the many chores that lay ahead that day, he had listened to her chatter and offered his affections with a gentle touch of her shoulder or a quick rumpling through her hair. He was such a wonderful father, and she looked up to him in so many ways.

  Why, then, had he always struggled against the idea of God and salvation—he, who seemed to be such a good man at heart? What made faith such a difficult step for him?

  Janette knew that life had dealt him some difficult blows. There was the struggle to maintain the family during the years of the Depression, but even as a child, she had never felt that any of the truly good things
of life had been denied them. There may have been a lack of material possessions in their home, but they were happy together. And even though they had seen their share of sicknesses and deaths, she had been raised to view them as a natural, though difficult, part of life.

  Later, Janette had become aware of much pain in her father’s own family, but God had not been an outsider even in that home. Though, perhaps, He had not been quite as welcome as in the home in which she herself had grown up. Janette’s mother had been totally committed to serving her Lord and to raising her eight children to do the same.

  Daddy, though, had not participated in the family’s faith. He had never stood in their way, and had even seemed to support their beliefs through the years, but something seemed to be holding him back from making this faith personal.

  Whatever it was that kept her father from allowing God to become real to him, it was locked away inside the quiet man. She could only pray for him that in these days of poor health and imposed rest, he would be able to deal with his own heart and with God, who longed to be his strength.

  Terry met her at the Edmonton Airport. From there they drove to the farm where Fred was resting after his hospital stay. With nothing for the doctors to offer as treatment, he had been advised to go home and take things easy, not to exert himself in any way.

  When Janette met him, his blue eyes were shiny, and his hug just as warm. Then the good news was shared. Her daddy, for whom they had prayed for years and years, had made his peace with God while alone in the hospital room. Jean and her daughter Gloria had found a chance to talk with him.

  “We wish we could make the decision for you,” they had wept. “But you know you must do it yourself.” Fred had only nodded weakly, but upon their return his eyes were aglow. He had made the decision for himself. He had accepted the gift of salvation, the gift of eternal life. The family had prayed faithfully, and now they were certain. God had given those extended days for Fred to find his way home.