Jani Lynn Berres

Jani Henley-Berres, born in 1956 in Chateauroux, France passed away on July 13th, 2026, in Longmont, CO.

Jani was born abroad while her father was serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and later relocated with her parents and younger brother back to Phoenix, AZ where she spent most of her life.

Like the wide-open western landscapes she loved, she possessed a fiercely independent, free spirit that could never be contained. She grew up loving horses, the AZ desert, and everything about Western history and culture. Her passion for the Southwest shone brightly through her home and work in modeling, antiques, hospitality, and retail, and later at her creative booth in Longmont, CO., where she crafted wildflower arrangements, Western decor, clothing, and art.

Jani loved music, transitioning from 1970's disco and dance to teaching line dancing at Western clubs. Deeply patriotic, she volunteered for the U.S. Marshals Posse serving as Yeoman and actively supported veteran families through the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She was preceded in death by a husband, father, a brother, a nephew, and an uncle. Jani is survived by her mother, two daughters, two sisters, three nieces, one nephew, and five grandchildren.

Jani, you always lived liked the wild horses you loved--fiercely independent, stubborn, and entirely unwilling to be broken, but magnificent. Our deepest hope is that your soul, now unbound by anxiety and fear, has finally found eternal rest, peace, and true freedom.

It is with heartfelt love and appreciation that we wish to remember and honor the memory of Bruce Berres with immense gratitude for the profound ways he provided his constant support and strength that carried not only Jani but the entire family through many of life’s greatest challenges over the years. You were God’s blessing to our family and forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held privately later. The family asks you to remember Jani in your own special way or through a memorial donation to one of the following charities:

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) https://www.nami.org/

Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance (S&PAA) https://sczaction.org/

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) https://www.dbsalliance.org/