Janine R. Gilje

Janine Renée Gilje, age 54, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones, on Friday, March 24, 2023, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.  Services will be held at 2:00 PM CDT on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah with Pastor Kathleen Nygaard officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. All family and friends are welcome to come and celebrate her life.

Janine was born to Eleanore and Dale Gilje, on March 11, 1969, in Dickinson, ND.  She spent her childhood with her siblings, Craig (Julie) Gilje, Fargo, ND; Michele (Lee) Werchau, Bullhead City, AZ; Susan (Scott) Thormahlen, Rapid City, SD; and Laurie Gilje, Rochester, MN.  She and her brother and sisters loved spending time at the family farm, spending countless hours playing by the creek and exploring all of the beauty of the prairie.

  Janine was raised and attended school in Beulah, ND, graduating with honors in 1987.  She excelled in academics and was a member of the National Honor Society.  She was very musical, playing both the piano and flute, and also sang in the choir.  Janine was a member of the drill team, took dance classes, and was a cheerleader for the boys' basketball team.  She was involved in FBLA, Close Up, and many other school groups and committees.  Janine was crowned the Homecoming Queen her senior year of high school.  After high school, Janine attended the University of North Dakota, graduating with honors, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.  She continued her education by taking Master level courses in Social Work.  While attending school she volunteered for several charitable organizations, such as Hope for the City, Feed My Starving Children, Habitat for Humanity, and was also a tutor at a local elementary school.  Janine had a long career in the banking industry, working in both commercial and agricultural real estate in Minnesota, Texas and North Dakota.  

Janine was married on October 16, 2004, to the love of her life, George A. Bairnson.  They shared many adventures, traveling to Florida often, going on motorcycle road trips, and flying in private planes, as George was an experienced pilot.  They loved to go ice fishing, and spend time with their friends at the lake cabin. 

Janine is survived by her parents, siblings, and several nieces and nephews.  Auntie Janine loved to spoil Ian, Lacy, Jackson, Molly, Sarah, Jacob, Jamie, Kaitlyn, Troy and Jessica.  She also had a very close bond with her sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Jack Stoll.  Janine was greatly loved by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Janine was a great lover of animals, and doted on her three dogs and cats, Bytor, Sadie, Sasha, and Jade. 

The family asks that donations to their preferred charity or cause, in lieu of flowers or other gifts, be made in Janine's honor.  She was a supporter of the Coal Country Animal Rescue, Furry Friends Rockin Rescue, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and the American Cancer Society.  Janine's favorite color, and singer, was P!nk, so her family requests that those in attendance wear a splash of pink that day.

Arrangements are conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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