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Mae Janice Adams, daughter of Russell and Ruth (VanDyke) Adams, was born on January 22, 1919, at Huxley, Nebraska. When Janice was 4 years old, the family moved from the "Home" place in Bethel Union, to the Senate Valley, where Janice lived until she left home. Janice attended the Senate Valley School from kindergarten through the eighth grade. It was one-quarter mile north of their house, close enough that the Adams children could go home at noon for a hot meal.
In order to attend high school, Janice had to live in Broken Bow, eight miles away, either in a light-housekeeping room or working in a home for her room and board. At that time, a Normal Training course could be taken in the last two years of high school to prepare for teaching in a rural grade school. Passing the State exams resulted in a certificate that expired in three years. Then to renew it, college courses were required.
Janice taught the first year in the New Hope School south of Broken Bow. The next year, she taught at the Cliff School. She boarded with friends of the family. Her third and fourth years of teaching were in the Round Hill School, a two-room school, where she taught kindergarten through sixth grade. She attended college in the summer to renew her certificate.
Janice's brother, Wayne, had left the farm and gone to the West Coast, Oregon, to work. She also had other relatives in that area too. So Janice moved to Oregon to start a new life. Her first job was sorting beans in a bean cannery until the season was over, then she clerked in a Woolsworth store while attending night school to learn secretarial skills. Even before fininshing these classes, she got a job in the County Clerk's Office in Salem.
Responding to signs saying "Uncle Sam Needs You," Janice then enlisted in the SPARS, women of the Coast Guard. Her Basic Training and Storekeeper school were at Palm Beach, Florida. She was then sent to Philadelphia to work in the supply office for the duration of the war. She served about two and a half years. While serving in the Coast Guard in Philadelphia, Janice met Charlie Bengeult.
Charles Frederick Bengeult was born June 16, 1920, and grew up in Bucksport, Maine. At the time he met Janice, he was serving in the Merchant Marines. Charlie and Janice were married February 16, 1946, shortly after Janice was discharged from the SPARS. They began their life together in Philadelphia and, shortly after, moved to the West Coast. They lived most of their married life in or near Seattle, Washington. Charles, worked in the furniture business all of his married life, until his retirement in 1984.
Charlie and Janice have three children:
| Marlene Ann Bengeult | Born September 4, 1947. Marlene Ann married David Kessler. Their two children are Michelle Lynn, born October 13, 1968, and Emily Anne, January 7,1973. Marlene and David were eventually divorced. |
| Stuart Frederick Bengeult | Born December 31, 1952. Stuart died December 14, 1988, just before his 36th birthday. |
| Greg Alan Bengeult | Born January 20, 1954. Greg Alan married Tina Harmon, and they had two children: Angela Marissa, born September 22, 1973, and Matthew David, February 6, 1975. Matthew David, died at age 10 months. Greg and Tina's marriage ended in divorce, and he later married Deborah Louise Bretthole from Pittsburgh. They had two children: Jennifer Mae arrived October 18, 1983 and Kevin Charles, May 13, 1986. |
Charlie and Janice, live in Normandy Park. Their children and their families live close by. They enjoy traveling, and have been to many parts of the world, but enjoy mostly going to southern California or to Hawaii to relax. They also enjoy attending high school class reunions in Maine and Nebraska, seeing old friends and visiting relatives in those areas.
In her Memories of My Childhood, included in a book on family history published by Janice's mother Ruth, Janice documents some of the more memorable events of her life.