Janet Rae Kirschenmann

Janet Rae (Smith) Kirschenmann died at the age of 79 on Feb. 29, at the East Adams Rural Hospital, after a lengthy illness.

She was born Aug. 18, 1932, to Howard and Doris Smith in Aberdeen, S.D.

She attended Northern College in Aberdeen, S. D., and then transferred to Yankton College in Yankton, S.D., where she met her husband, Cal Kirschenmann. They were married in Aberdeen, S.D. in June of 1955. Their first home was in Barstow, Calif., and they continued living in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas until retiring to Ritzville in 2006.

Together they raised three children and she had a 40-year career as a legal assistant. She was very musical, often playing organ accompanist in various local churches. She was active at the Zion Philadelphia Church, playing organ and participating in the Daughters of Zion. She and her husband traveled to many countries.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Cal, daughters; Michele, Fla., Denise, Calif., son; Kevin, Utah, sister; Sue Olafson, Smithwick, S.D., sister and brother-in-laws, and many nieces and nephews.

Services were held on Saturday, Mar. 3 at the Zion Philadelphia Church and a private inurnment is set for another date.