Janet was born in Snyder on May 18, 1943 to Harold and Ruth Beck. She was raised on the family farm and attended grade school at District #41 and St Peter's Lutheran School. She graduated from Snyder High School in 1961 and later Commercial Extension Business College in Omaha, NE. Janet worked in Omaha at an abstract company while serving as a live-in nanny, and then worked for an insurance company in Lincoln. After getting engaged on Valentine's Day, she married the love of her life, Richard D. Kirch on September 6, 1964 at St Peter's Lutheran Church in Snyder.
Janet and Richard started their marriage in Lincoln and then Neligh before moving to Pender where they welcomed their four daughters. Richard's job transferred them to Valentine in 1971 where Janet started a small greenhouse and ran a bedding plant business and truck garden providing produce for restaurants, a grocery store and the public. In Fremont, she was the distributor for the Omaha World Herald newspaper for ten years and created the business Newcomers to Fremont.
Above all, Janet loved the Lord with her faith and family as her priority. She served Our Savior Lutheran Church in Valentine by playing the organ, growing garden flowers for the alter and creating the junior choir. In Fremont, she was an active member of the Eunice Circle at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Janet will always be remembered for her many hobbies and interests. She was passionate about flower and vegetable gardening, as well as canning and freezing fruit, vegetables, pickles, soups and jelly. Her pets brought her much love over the years, especially Callie, her latest sweet calico. Her hobbies also included cake decorating, crafts, cooking, baking, camping and researching family history. She collected nativity scenes and loved to decorate for the holidays. Janet was also extremely proud of her annual Christmas letter.
In later years, Janet and Richard enjoyed attending sports and musical activities of their grandchildren. For many years, she enjoyed watching sports on TV especially Cardinals baseball, Nebraska & Creighton Universities sports, and the state high school tournaments. During COVID, Richard frequently took her to the Fremont State Lakes where she tamed and fed a resident goose, which she named Lucy. Most recently, she looked forward to watching several hours of church on Sunday and sharing the Lord's message with everyone she met. Her memory will live on in the hearts and minds of her loving family and many friends.
Janet was preceded in death by her parents Harold & Ruth Beck and her sister-in-law, Marcia Beck. She is survived by her husband, Richard; daughters, Jean (Greg) Kirch-Holliday, Jody (Shawn) Schulenberg, Julie Kirch, Joyce (Frank) DeLaGarza; grandchildren, Bailey (Anthony) Miller, Easton Schulenberg, Reagen (Fiance' Brandon) Schulenberg, Greyson (Erika) Holliday, Amelia Holliday, Ava DeLaGarza, Anna DeLaGarza; great grandchildren Annalise Miller and Cassian Holliday; sister Marilyn (Jim) Hoover, brother Wayne Beck and many nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be 10am, Friday, January 26, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fremont. Burial will follow in Ridge Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School. Visitation will be Thursday, January 25 at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel from 3pm to 8pm with the family present from 5pm to 7pm.
online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(6)
Melissa Steinbach-Kuskie
OMAHA, NE Sunday, February 4, 2024 Dearest Joyce and Kirch family,I just learned of your mom's passing last night from my family. So sorry to hear of this news. Your mother did very well with all of you girls! Such a pleasure to have known you all over the years. You have such a special family and your mother will be missed!
My deepest sympathies!
(Missy) Melissa Steinbach-Kuskie
Lance Hofman
Fort Walton Beach, FL Sunday, January 28, 2024 Prayers of comfort to the family. Janet was always very kind to our family when the Hofman’s visited the Kirch’s.God’s blessings!
Ashley&casey sebert
Nowata, OK Thursday, January 25, 2024 I'll give you a condolence. She's a very sweet lady. She will be missed. You're in our prayers. From your toastmaster family from ashley and casey sebertDel & Sandy Sukstorf
Fremont, NE Thursday, January 25, 2024 Our sincere sympathy to your whole family. We have many camping memories of your Mother.Brian Struebing
Bennington, NE Thursday, January 25, 2024 My sincere condolences to family and friends on the passing of Janet. She was influential in my early years when I delivered papers for the Omaha World Herald, and throughout my life as a member at Trinity Lutheran Church. She was always very active serving the Lord and others through the church. I have fond memories of her engagement in Bible studies, sharing her views and perspectives which challenged others in their faith walk. She was clearly a woman of strong faith and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.Shannon Schuett
Omaha, NE Wednesday, January 24, 2024 Joyce,I am so sorry to hear the passing of your mom, I know this past year has been extremely difficult for her and you. Sending love and hugs to you and your family!
Shannon