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Jana Kristine Olson, age 75, of Berkeley, California, passed away unexpectedly of a heart attack on July 15, 2024 in Oakland, California.  

 Jana was born in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, on December 16, 1948 to Elwood and Gladys (Hawkinson) Olson of Franconia Township, Minnesota.  Growing up on a farm outside of Center City she explored and photographed the woods and fields, she read everything she could get her hands on.  Jana was creative, artistic and could make or fix almost anything.

 Jana was a graduate of Chi Hi, 1966.  In 1971, she moved to California, where she finished a BS in Geography while working as a park and trail planner. She later became a landscape designer and builder of gardens.

In 1989, Jana married Steve Drobinsky and became co-owner of Omega Salvage in Berkeley. When they opened Omega Too, Jana began the work of restoring/rebuilding antique lighting and creating her own designs.   

  After divorce, Jana started Panache Lighting in West Berkeley, in a building she and her husband, Roger Carr, made into a Makers Space.  His studio was next to hers.  

They loved 20 fabulous years of living and working together, including on large projects for Burning Man (an event in Nevada), and travelling together.  Their last trip was in December when they circumnavigated the world, stopping to stay with friends most of the way: Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, India.  

Jana's other restoration work has been on her house, fondly known as "Camp Shasta" in the Berkeley hills.  She and Roger shared their home graciously with many friends and family over the years.  This is the site of her most remarkable garden.  

All during this time, her garden work was on her own gardens.  Filled with a unique collection of plants and sculptures, these gardens have been a highlight of many garden tours in the San Francisco Bay Area and of articles in print and online.  

Jana is deeply missed by the love of her life Roger Carr. Besides her husband, she is survived by her brother Greg (Cheryl) Olson, sisters Joni (Jim) Leet and Gretchen Olson (Jim McCreary) and many nieces and nephews.  Jana will also be missed by many dear friends.  

 Memorial to be held at the Franconia Cemetery off Lawrence Creek Road, Sunday, September 15, 2024 at 2 p.m. 

If you would like to make a donation in Jana's honor, feel free to donate to the Human Society or Planned Parenthood.

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