It all started at the Jantzen Knitting Mill more than 45 years ago. Jan Aho and her husband Dave fell in love. After getting married, just 9 months later, Indepak was born. No, not their first child. Indepak is the name of the business they created after Dave had worked on the machine at Jantzen that created the bra cups for the women's swim suits. The machine gave him an idea, and the rest is history. Today the plastic packaging company is still going strong as is Dave and Jan! Beginning their family, the Aho's decided to sell their Gresham home in 1980 and move to the country. The home sold sooner than expected, so they were without a home or one to move to! A fellow church friend from Corbett, Annie Benfield Zeek invited the young family to move in with her. Annie was 96 years old at the time and shared numerous Corbett stories with the Aho's. Jan and Dave purchased 20 acres of bare land and began to build. Unfortunately, Annie had a stroke and had to move out of her home. The Aho's then moved into a 21 foot travel trailer on their new Corbett property with all FOUR sons. In the midst of all that, the builder had not payed any of their subs and walked out on the Aho's while the home was barely started! Jan told me she had the Corbett "CAN DO" attitude during those very challenging years. They moved into their basement that was "just a shell" and burned scraps of wood from the property to say warm while they used the travel trailer kitchen to cook. The family home is now finished and even remodeled! A favorite spot in their home is the overly large kitchen table that seats most all of her extended family that now includes 6 grand kids. Family meals have always and continue to be of utmost importance for Jan. Raising her boys in the Corbett school system, Jan was extremely involved as a volunteer throughout the years. Now her son Jeff is on the Corbett School Board, giving back like his mom did all those years. Jan says she most appreciates the willingness of Corbett folks to get involved and HELP each other out in times of need. Jan recalled the Bridal Veil fire from over 20 years ago and told me how everyone banded together for the greatest good of taking care of their neighbor. THAT is why her and Dave are firmly planted with no plans to try and find greener pastures!
