Jane Capron

“She pretty much single-handedly got us – OSTA – through much of the first 15-20 years of this century!” -Matthew Johnson, Atty and OSTA Board Member
Background on Jane Capron
Jane Capron and her husband Ken were long-time residents of Songbrook MH Park and OSTA members. Jane was on the board forever and edited the quarterly newsletter, writing a column on L/T law and soliciting news from the chapters. She moved to Iowa several years ago to be closer to family, and after Ken had died. I got this news from Deanna Vaughn, another Songbrook resident and former OSTA board member. Jane’s obituary includes remembrances from Sheryl Stassi-Lampman and Mark Harden, also Songbrook residents and OSTA members (and Sheryl was on the board).

Jane’s Obituary and Tribute – visit her page here: https://www.chapmanfh.com/obituaries/jane-capron

CLARENCE IOWA – Jane Frances (Lichtenheld) Capron passed away peacefully on the morning of June 4 with family at her side, after a brief illness at the Clarence Nursing Home. She had relocated to Iowa to be near her daughter Elizabeth, who, along with her husband Jon, cared for Jane in her final years.

Born September 10, 1935, Jane was a native of Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a teaching degree in English. Her training and sense of adventure led her to California, where she took a job teaching English at the China Lake Naval Base. There, she met her future husband, Ken Capron. Their life together took them to Victorville, California; Los Osos, California; Kearney, Nebraska; Libby, Montana; Elkader, Iowa; Fort Worth, Texas; Middleboro, Kentucky; Portland, Oregon; and, finally, to retirement in Eugene, Oregon, where they lived for more than 20 years.

A mother of two girls (Elizabeth and Susan), she responded to each new residence with creativity and a sense of adventure, often creating new opportunities for the girls and herself. While in Elkader, Iowa, for example, she painted a mural on the side of their home and started an artist’s group called Clayton County Artists. She went back to college in her 50s to obtain a master’s degree in ESL. She taught college-level English composition until her retirement. At that point, she and Ken became apartment managers for an apartment complex in Portland. She always said it was the best job they ever had.

Jane was a pianist, accomplished artist, and a professional writer who published a series of mysteries based on her work experiences as an apartment manager. She and Ken later moved to a lovely retirement community, Songbrook, in Eugene, where she became heavily involved in OSTA (Oregon State Tenants Association), and published their newsletter. She made many friends while living in Songbrook, playing bridge, leading an arts and crafts group, and teaching Tai Chi in the clubhouse.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Klingman (Jon) and Susan Capron (Dan Allcott), and two grandchildren, Carter Nicholas Capron-Allcott, and Jacqueline Frances Capron-Allcott. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Fran Lichtenheld, and her husband of 63 years, Ken Capron.

The beautiful tribute that her dear friend Deanna Vaughn, another former OSTA board member and fellow homeowner in Songbrook MH Park wrote:

“Jane was an artist, a writer, a poet She was a good friend. For 10 years she was my best friend. What is a best friend? She asks for help. She gives you her help. She laughs at your stories. She tells you hers, and we laugh. She cries as you hug her. You cry as she hugs you. We laughed, we cried, we pulled weeds. Together. Best friends. I love you Jane.” – Deanna Vaughn

Words from John VanLandingham, Atty and OSTA Board Member:

“I’m a legal aid lawyer in Oregon, specializing in tenant rights, especially for manufactured dwelling park tenants, and legislative advocacy. I’m a current OSTA board member. I spent a lot of time working with Jane, in negotiating legislative bills and traveling to the legislature to testify. For years Jane edited the OSTA quarterly newsletter which included a column on landlord/tenant law; she would use me as her expert consultant. She was a wonderful writer and editor, and so smart. And she would get local chapters to share their news for the newsletter. She also would produce a skit for the annual OSTA membership meeting, and recruit others to act it out. And she had a wry and wicked sense of humor. I was sad when she left Eugene, but we all understood her reason, to be closer to family. I miss her and Ken.” John VanLandingham
A word from the OSTA Team:

“It is a rare gift to have such a passionate and colorful soul who is willing to pour out their heart and talents for a cause. Each and every member of OSTA, whether or not you knew Jane, has her to thank for the strong organization we have today. Thank you Jane. You will continue to be an inspiration to us and to the future leaders here at OSTA. It was an honor to have your contributions. You will be missed.” -The OSTA Team