Janelle Smith

Janelle Kay Smith, age 65, of Pierre, SD, passed away at her residence on Monday, June 24, 2024.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 28, 2024, at American Lutheran Church in De Smet, SD. Pastor Nate Bendorf will officiate with music provided by Lindsay Nolte as pianist. The urn bearer will be grandson Garret Smith. Honorary pallbearers being Janelle’s family and her past and present ‘After-Work Crew’- all those with whom she spent time laughing and making memories throughout her life in De Smet, Belle Fourche, and Pierre.

Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, June 27, 2024, also at the American Lutheran Church.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded via www.crawfordosthus.com. Private family burial at De Smet Cemetery following.

On September 18, 1958, Janelle was born to Eugene “Gene” and Carolyn (Laderer) Gruenhagen in De Smet, SD. Janelle attended country school prior to her graduation from De Smet High School. Soon after, Janelle and Rodney Smith were married in De Smet, SD. The couple would raise two children, Justin and Heather. Janelle was always a devoted mother. She loved not only her children and grandchildren. She adored her many nieces, nephews, godchildren, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Her love was so expansive, she also became an honorary mother, or ‘Mama Smith’, to many others throughout the years. Following Rodney’s passing, Janelle became close with her fiancé, Wayne Olsen. Her family happily expanded to include him, his son Greg, daughter-in-law Jen, and two grandchildren. Being with family, celebrating each of their milestones, was her favorite pastime - and her proudest moments.

Janelle spent many years as a legal secretary at Wilkinson & Wilkinson in De Smet, Buckmaster in Belle Fourche, Riter Rogers in Pierre, and Tieszen in Pierre. She took great pride in her work, and often found that her charm and humor landed her at the front desk where she could socialize with everyone that came into the office.

Janelle could make friends anywhere, touching the hearts of many friends throughout South Dakota. In her free time, Janelle enjoyed reading and especially socializing. She kept an active social life and was always ready to enjoy a “toddy” with her family and friends.

Janelle is survived by her fiancé, Wayne Olsen of Pierre, SD; children, Justin (Traci) Smith of De Smet, SD, and Heather Smith of Denver, CO; Greg (Jen) Olsen of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Cortney, Garret, Madison, and Lincoln; brother, Greg (Mary Zollman) Gruenhagen; brothers-in-law: Ricky Smith, Gordon Harvey, and Dennis (Shelia) Smith; and sisters-in-law, Jeanne Gruenhagen and Denise (Grant) Matsunaga.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rodney Smith; parents, Eugene “Gene” and Carolyn (Laderer) Gruenhagen; brother, Jerry Gruenhagen; infant sister, Debra Kay Gruenhagen; parents-in-law, Herman “Bub” and Dorothy Smith; brother-in-law, David Smith; sisters-in-law, Cindy Smith and Diane Harvey.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel                                      www.crawfordosthus.com

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