Janel Katherine Harnan

Janel Katherine Harnan age 62 of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, November 22 at Altoona Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Altoona, Iowa after a 27 year battle with chemotherapy induced congestive heart failure. Janel was a 28 year breast cancer survivor as well as a uterine cancer survivor. Janel was born November 3, 1954 in Schuyler, Nebraska to Anton and Gladys (Rezac) Soukup. Janel was raised on the family farm near Morse Bluff, Nebraska. She graduated as the valedictorian of the Class of 1973 from North Bend High School in Nebraska. She also graduated valedictorian of her Class of 1976 from Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. Janel was united in marriage with Michael Harnan on December 28, 1974 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in North Bend, Nebraska. God blessed this marriage with two children, Brenda and William. As an accomplished trombonist Janel played in high school and college bands, jazz bands and orchestras for many years. After moving to Pleasant Hill, Iowa in 1982 Janel became a member of Grand View Lutheran Church where she sang in the Chancel Choir and was a founding member of the Grand View Brass group that continues to this day. When their children joined Iowa Youth Chorus, Janel and Michael were chaperones on several choir tours including regional and international tours. These included choir competitions in Bremen, Germany and the Llandgollen International Musical Eisteddfod competition and tour to England. Scotland and Wales, as well as an artist in residence tour of Guatemala and El Salvador. Prior to her retirement in 2014 Janel worked for 37 years as a medical technologist and laboratory scientist in the special chemistry and toxicology laboratory at Iowa Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Janel was an avid reader and very gifted at counted cross stitch. A cherished mother and wife Janel was an accomplished cook famous for her homemade soups and the family would gather every Sunday for a Janel cooked meal fit for a king.

Janel is survived by her husband Michael, daughter Brenda (James) Sandler of Des Moines, IA, son William Harnan of Waukee, IA, as well as her brothers Tony (Linda) Soukup of Purcellville, VA, Scott (Susie) Soukup of Lake Villa, IL, Jack (Nancy) Soukup of Davey, NE, Jerry (Barbara) Soukup of Morse Bluff, NE, sister in law Sandy Soukup of Omaha, NE, brother in law Scott Harnan (Sarah Edwards) of Des Moines, IA, six nephews, one niece and other extended family. Janel was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Russell and cherished Animal Rescue League pets Tempo, Twilight, Freckles, and Coda.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, November 29 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines, IA. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 30 at Grand View Lutheran Church, 2930 East 13th Street, Des Moines, IA., with the Rev. Sharon Worthington officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, IA.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa Youth Chorus 3520 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA. 50312 or to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, IA. 50316 Attn: Candy Bell or to Grand View Lutheran Church 2930 East 13th Street, Des Moines, IA. 50316.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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