Janice L. Carnell

Janice Loraine (Schlueter) Carnell, 94 of Kearney, NE died February 13, 2024 at Good Samaritan Society-St John’s, Kearney, NE. Visitation will be 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 17, 2024 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home in Kearney, NE. Burial will follow at Grand Island Cemetery next to her late husband John (Jack) Carnell at 11:15 a.m. on Saturday. Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, The Alzheimer’s Association or to the family to be designated at a later date. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services. Janice was born October 4, 1929 in Albion, NE to Paul and Vera (Hinze) Schlueter. She was baptized October 27, 1929 at Zion Lutheran Church in Albion and confirmed June 6, 1943 at St. Matthew Church in Meadow Grove, NE. Janice grew up in the Meadow Grove, NE area, where she received her education at rural country schools and graduated high school from Meadow Grove High in 1947. She worked for the local doctor for a year before moving to Omaha and working for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company. In 1951, she moved to Norfolk, Nebraska to attend cosmetology school, passing her Nebraska State Board in October of that year. While in school her friend, Bonnie, introduced Jan to her brother, Jack, to whom she was married on November 16, 1951 in Norfolk, VA before he was transferred to Green Cove Springs, FL where Janice joined him later. Janice lived in various cities during Jack’s naval career, including San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, and Omaha. During these years, Janice was employed as a beautician and secretary. After Jack was discharged and retired from the navy the family settled in Denver, CO where Jan was employed at JC Penney’s, eventually moving to manage 7-Eleven convenience stores and then ran an upholstery business while raising the family. Later in their retirement years they moved to Doniphan, NE where they owned and ran an RV Park with the 2 youngest daughters. She was a long time member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kearney where she enjoyed attending services and the ladies quilting group, providing many quilts to the Orphan Grain Train organization. Janice listed softball, sewing, camping and genealogy as her favorite hobbies and pastimes. Left to cherish her memory are her 4 daughters, Debra Ann Carnell (Sherrill Shadbolt-partner) of Thedford, NE, Jacqueline Kay (Warren) Craig of Fort Mohave, AZ, Robin Rae (Jay) Merten of Aurora, NE and Carrie Lynne (Jerry) Stithem of Kearney, NE. Janice loved all of her family fiercely, including 7 grandchildren Toni (Mac) McFarland of Rawlins, WY, John Craig of Rawlins, WY, Jessica (D.C.) Riley of Omaha, NE, Nichole (Chaz) Kelsey of Grand Island, NE, Justin Merten of Omaha, NE, Kelsey Stithem (Mitch Mallett) of Plattsmouth, NE and Megan Stithem of Castle Rock, CO. Nine great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandson; one sister, Joyce Ryan of Phoenix, AZ and one brother Harlan Schlueter of Omaha, NE, many nieces and nephews, several cousins and family friends. Janice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, 1 great-grandson, her brother-in-law, Jim Ryan and sister-in-law, Judy Schlueter.

Janice L. Carnell

October 4, 1929 - February 13, 2024