Janel Kae (Simon) Will, age 72, of Wiota, IA passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021 at the Heritage House in Atlantic, IA.
Janel was born August 4, 1949, to Harold and Mardell (Barnholdt) Simon in Atlantic. She grew up on a farm south of Anita and loved working outside doing fieldwork. She attended country school until they opened the new elementary school in Anita. She was a proud member of the Anita High School Graduating Class of ’67 and remained friends with many of her classmates until the time of her death.
Janel married Dwight Will in 1969 and they were the parents of 4 children: Dana, Wendy, Cody, and Chance. They farmed north of Wiota and Janel enjoyed the farm life once again. Later Janel would move to Huntington Beach, CA which was her happy place as she loved the ocean and beach. She worked at Home Depot in Huntington Beach for many years and when she moved back to Iowa she continued her employment with Home Depot in Ankeny. Friendship was very important to Janel and she continued to stay in touch and build lifelong friendships with several of her Home Depot co-workers throughout the years. Janel loved to keep busy and after retiring, she worked part-time at the Atlantic Walmart.
Family was even more important to Janel and having been raised one of 7 siblings, she enjoyed being around all her brothers and sisters and their families. They spent many hours playing “Bump” and putting puzzles together. She loved to travel and her favorite trips were to New York City, Las Vegas, and a “Sisters Trip” to Hawaii. She enjoyed going to the casinos, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers, gardening, cooking, and baking. She always had baked goods ready for company. She loved eating “Peeps” year-round and was a proud member of the Wiota Golden Girls.
Janel is survived by her sisters Bette McCann of Wiota and Janiece Anderson (Denney) of Visalia, CA; brothers Steve Simon of Huntington Beach, CA and Rick Simon (Shellee) of Los Alamitos, CA; her sister-in-law Jorene Simon of Aurora, CO, her four children, grandchildren, and many special nieces, nephews, and friends.
Janel was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Mardell Simon; brothers Gary and Ronald Simon; brother-in-law Bud McCann; sister-in-law Sam Simon; nephews Jay Marnin and David Simon.
Due to Covid, a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic is handling the arrangements.
