Janet Salak

On March 6th, 2024, while surrounded by family and friends, Janet Salak passed peacefully from this life into eternal life in God's Glorious Kingdom. She was 89 years old.

Funeral services are 10:30 am Monday, March 11, 2024 at St. John's Lutheran Church-Shell Creek.  Visitation is on Sunday from 2-4 pm at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus and continues on Monday from 9:30 am until service time at the church.  Interment is in Calvary Cemetery.

Janet was one of eight children born June 30th, 1934, to Otto and Dorthea (Keilstrep) Tanke in Fremont. She lost her mother when she was just 10 years old. To help her family, she started working part time at the local grocery store and continued through high school, working behind the soda fountain and sales counters at Kresge's store in Fremont.

At the age of 18, Janet met the love of her life, Donald Salak of Schuyler and they married on February 21st, 1954. To this loving union five children were born.

Janet was a proud military spouse, supporting Don during his 20 years of service in the US Navy. They traveled to many duty stations around the world including Okinawa, Morocco, and the Aleutian Islands as well as stateside locations in Hawaii, Maryland, Alaska, Maine, and California.

During that time Janet worked in many capacities. She was a whiz with numbers and used those skills when she worked for the Department of Defense and later in her banking career. Her compassion for others led her later to work in the nonprofit field for many years.

In 1975, Janet and Don settled in Columbus, Nebraska, eventually building their dream home on top of a hill overlooking Shell Creek.

After retirement, Don and Janet continued to travel the U.S. and many other countries.

Janet was a faithful woman who loved the Lord and devoted her life to her family and friends. She especially cherished time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandma and Grandpa's house on the hill was always open to everyone and "The place to be," full of family, friends, food, and a deck of cards or a handful of dice.

She loved antique auctions, slot machines, bird and squirrel watching, and cooking, especially her world famous chili and ham and bean soup.

Her passion for collecting beautiful dishes, especially teapots, kept her busy during retirement. Springtime, when her irises and roses started blooming, was her favorite time of the year.

Janet was a kind and generous soul, helping anyone in need. She used her love of clearance shopping as an opportunity to help those less fortunate- often donating car loads of newly purchased coats, hats, mittens, and school supplies to local charities in Columbus. Make a Wish Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and Tunnel to Towers were also charities important to her.

Janet is survived by and will be deeply missed by her five children, Donald (Sharon) Salak, Darryl Salak, Debra (Joe) Shannon, David Salak, Denise (Michael) Schaecher, 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and her only surviving sibling - Linda Love of Cozad. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband Donald Salak, her parents, Otto and Dorthea Tanke, one sister, Virginia Fullerton, five brothers, Tommy Tanke, Jimmy Tanke, Keith Tanke, Kenny Tanke, and Rollie Tanke.