Janele Harriet Valasek

Janele Harriet Valasek, age 85, died on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Center in St. Ansgar, Iowa. Janele was born in Belmond, IA, on January 10, 1941, to Jack and Henrietta (Fekkers) Bayliss. She attended and graduated from Belmond School in 1959.

Janele was united in marriage to Emil Valasek on August 11, 1960. They lived and farmed north of Osage. Three children were born to this union. Janele worked alongside Emil for many years on the farm. She worked at Piggly Wiggly in high school. Janele worked at Steele’s Super Value and in her later years she worked and managed Casey’s in Osage. She and her high school friend, Cindy Groff and Kay Skarr did many things together. Janele loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Janele is survived by her three children, Lori (Les Kamp) Valasek of St. Ansgar, Denise (Alan) Valasek - Burnett of Rudd and Russell (Jenny Huber) Valasek, of Osage; her grandchildren, Btittany Hahn and Brayden Valasek; great-grandchildren Kyzier and Rylan Carpenter and many nieces and nephew. Janele was preceded in death by her husband, Emil; parents; siblings, Delmar, Edwin, Charles, Bobby and Gertrude Quandt; nephew, Donald Quandt.

Janele’s funeral service will be held at First Grace Lutheran Church, 726 State Street, Osage, Iowa, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Staley presiding. Visitation will be held at the church, on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Burial will be at the Osage Cemetery.

Hoff Celebrations - Champion Chapel of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements.