Obituary of Janette R. Murrell

Janette R Murrell, age 85, passed away on May 17, 2021 in Melbourne FL.

Janette was born May 28, 1935 in Perry IA to Harry T Hoagland and Hilda M (Appenzeller) Hoagland. She attended Perry schools graduating in 1953, and then attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines IA. She married high school sweetheart Robert Murrell on April 18, 1954. The couple moved to Ames IA where she worked for WOI Radio and Iowa State University while Robert attended school. In 1957 they moved to Elkader IA where Robert taught high school vocational agriculture.

Jan was active in church and community functions and worked as secretary for the Clayton County Extension service. She later lived in Grundy Center IA, Chatfield MN, West Union IA and Clarence IA. The couple then retired to Lead Hill AR in 1996, ultimately moving to Melbourne FL in 2015.

Jan is survived by her husband of 67 years Robert B Murrell, children Michael D and Deborah Murrell of Hiawatha IA, Lizabeth and William Harris of Melbourne FL, and Marty Murrell of Charlotte IA; grandchildren Sarah Swenson, Luke Murrell, Wade Harris, Moira Murrell, Maclane Murrell, and two great-grandchildren.

Jan was preceded in death by her father, mother and brother Steven Hoagland.

Jan was an active community member, particularly in the churches she attended and was always in a church choir also serving as a youth choir director. She was also an active volunteer in all of the communities she lived. Jan was an excellent homemaker, gardener, avid reader, accomplished seamstress, and puzzle solver. In later years, she enjoyed extensive travel of the United States, most often by Gold Wing motorcycle. Upon retiring in the Bulls Shoals Lake area south of Branson, she was an avid fisherman and enthusiast of musical and entertainment shows. 

A family memorial service is being held at the Twin Lakes Club House on May 20^th. Burial will be in Winterset Iowa at a later date.

Memorials can be directed to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation or your local food pantry.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Janette Murrell, please visit Tribute Store