Janet Belle Horton Yekel, 82, passed away Oct. 28 at her home in Burns.

Janet was born Jan. 2, 1935, in Winner, S.D., to Lilly and James Horton of Hidden Timber, S.D. She was raised with her six siblings in a sod house in South Dakota. Her family members were farmers and ranchers and worked hard to produce food for the family. They lived through hard times and enjoyed life together.

Janet married Edward Emmanuel Yekel Aug. 24, 1953, in Batesland, S.D., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. To this union five children were born: Linda, Glenda, Kevin, David, and Stuart.

In 1973, Janet and Edward moved their family to Harney County. From 1974 to 1976, they managed the Princeton Store on Highway 78. In 1977, Ed, Janet, Kevin, David, and Stuart moved to Thedford, Neb., and ran two ranches. Kevin and David moved back to Oregon in 1977. Stuart returned to Crane in 1978. In 1980, Stuart returned to Nebraska to help Janet and Edward move back to Crane. Edward did mechanic work, and Janet worked at the Harney County Hospital.

In 1982, they decided to move to Burns to be closer to their places of work. Edward worked as a mechanic until he became ill with cancer and passed away Feb. 8, 1991. Janet continued working at the Harney County Hospital after Edward’s death. In 2002, Janet had an accident that impaired her shoulder, and she decided to retire from the hospital. She served the Harney County Hospital for 21 1/2 years. In later years, she watched the removal of the old hospital and the building of the new one. She was greatly missed by those she worked with and those she had served for many years.

Janet participated in the Farmers Market with her daughters, Linda and Glenda, and son-in-law, Fred, every Saturday from July to October. She baked and sold amazing, delicious goodies that everyone enjoyed so much. She was a member of the Fiddlers and loved listening, singing, and dancing to the music. She also square danced with the Steens Mountain Twirlers. She attended Curves and Swim until illness prevented her from doing so. She tended her beautiful flowers and amazing yard daily. She loved and enjoyed her five children, 15 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren as much as possible everyday.

Janet is survived by her daughters, Linda Pelroy of Burns, and Glenda Davis of Redmond; sons, Kevin Yekel of Hines, David Yekel of Baker City, and Stuart Yekel of Burns; sisters, Barbara Craffey of Brentwood, Calif., and Ruthann Cummings of Manderson, S.D.; brothers, Gary Horton of Camas, Wash., and Roger Horton of Edgemont, S.D.; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, mother, and two brothers.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Harney County Church of the Nazarene in Hines. Rev. Lance Lovlin will officiate the service. Gary Hannaford will give the eulogy. The organist will be Rachelle Lovlin, and Bettina Bowerman will be the soloist.

Pallbearers are Craig Yekel, Jason Dent, Christopher Larsen, Ed Moulton, Danny Moulton, Colt Yekel, Justin Herman, and Gill Monson.

Concluding services and interment will be held in the Burns Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to CAN Cancer of Harney County.