Janice Rae Riley

Touchet resident, Janice Rae Riley, 88, died December 4, 2025, at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center in Walla Walla.

Janice was born on December 17, 1936, in Walla Walla to Leonard N. Adams and Leta Berry Adams. She attended Walla Walla schools and graduated from Wa-Hi in 1955. She attended Linfield College. She was introduced to Louis Riley by mutual friends, and they were married on August 30, 1959, in Walla Walla.

The couple moved to Touchet in 1960, where they raised their family and farmed and raised livestock together. She was a member of the Tri-Community Homemakers Club since the mid-1960s and was a former Camp Fire leader. She enjoyed music, especially old songs, of which she knew countless many. She would say something reminded her of a song … and then beautifully sing it. She also loved a good game of Scrabble and wasn’t shy to correct her family’s grammar (just ask the grandkids!). Especially in her later years, Janice really enjoyed going to her Berry Cousin lunches and Wa-Hi Class of ’55 gatherings.

Janice is survived by her five children: Louis Riley Jr. (Gretchen), Jean Ann Hegele (Wade), Robert Riley (JoEllen), Meri Klasen (Dean) and Carol Hopkins (Chris); 14 grandchildren: Mackenzie & Maxxwell, Joel, Beth, Sarah, Hannah, Joshua & Jonathan, Jacob & Amber, Tyler & Kyla, Nickolas & Nathan; 8 great grandchildren: Piper, Aiden & Noah, Wyatt & Mikaela, Laura, Callen, and Lauralie; her sister, Alice Chase; step-brother, John Underwood; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2010, her parents, her sister, Anne Gradwohl; brother, Leonard Adams, and infant brother, Barry; step-mother, Lorraine Adams; step-sister, Diane Underwood; and son-in-law, Larry Herbert.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jacob Appelbaum from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle and the entire care team at Providence St. Mary Cancer Center in Walla Walla for their care all these many years since her leukemia diagnosis, as well as Dr. David Hutton at Providence Walla Walla, and her entire care team at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center, for their care these past few months.

Janice was a strong woman; she fought hard through her leukemia diagnosis and treatment since December 2019 and then faced the added challenge of her failing kidneys these past few months. Her strength nearly carried her through to her 89th birthday, when the family will gather to celebrate her and remember a life well-lived. A private family burial is planned, with a Celebration of Life for family and friends in the spring.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.