Obituary: Janelle Barnett

The loving wife and companion of Joseph W. Barnett passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 from congestive heart failure. Janelle was born October 5, 1929 to Harland Stiff and Erline Townsend Stiff in Bozeman, MT. Janelle graduated from Gallatin County High School in 1948 and attended MSU long enough to meet the love of her life. Janelle and Joe were married on September 1, 1949 in the First Baptist Church in Bozeman. Throughout their 72 years of marriage, they have lived mainly in the Bozeman / Belgrade area. They also lived in San Antonio, Texas and Japan while Joe served in the US Air Force.

Janelle enjoyed serving in the community and her church, First Baptist. Over the years she has been involved in areas of her husband’s life, cheering on the teams he played with at MSU and those he coached at Bozeman Senior High. Plus, she supported him as a beekeeper for 50 years and a member of the House of Representatives for 10 years in the great state of Montana, the best of all states to live in, according to her.

Janelle was predeceased by her parents, her 3 siblings: Alfred Stiff, Leota Pritchett and Larry Stiff and her youngest son, Doug Barnett. She is survived by her husband, Joe (Belgrade, MT); sister, Bernette Casey (Sidney, MT); sister-in-law, Rosie Stiff (Penticton, BC Canada); 2 children: Ron (Lori) Barnett (Belgrade, MT) and Cheri (Dave) Thye (Gilbert, AZ); daughter-in-law Chanda Barnett Klamm (Olathe, KS); 8 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Janelle loved being with her family and nothing was greater than seeing the joy on her face when a young child was in the room.

Janelle’s memorial service will take place on Saturday October 9^e at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church on Grand and Olive in Bozeman, MT. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to Templed Hills Baptist Church Camp. For more information, contact Pastor Jason Bowker of the First Baptist Church at (406) 586-6743.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Dokken-Nelson funeral service.