Janet O. Hudek, age 96, of Pocahontas, passed away Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Pocahontas Community Hospital in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Janet Omeda Mell was born on November 21, 1926, in Pocahontas, Iowa. She was the daughter of Howard and Edna (Carman) Mell. She graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1945. After a brief stay out in Cheyenne, WY with one of her friends, Maxine Freeman, she lived her entire life in Pocahontas. Janet was united in marriage to Francis L. Hudek on September 6th, 1947, at Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church in Pocahontas. In addition to adopting 3 babies from Catholic Charities in Sioux City, they had 8 foster children. The 3 oldest foster girls stayed until they graduated and were married. Janet was a supervisor for switchboard operators for many years. She later joined her husband in managing the Pocahontas Golf Club for over 17 years and worked various secretarial jobs around Pocahontas when they needed help. She always had a smile and a positive attitude in everything she did. Janet's favorite job was being a wife, mother, grandma, GiGi and was recently made a great-great grandma. Their home was open to all her family, friends, and all who came through the doors.

Janet was a member of Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, Catholic Ladies Society, C.D. of A., Missionary Ladies, Legion Women's Auxiliary, several card clubs, Pocahontas Golf Club, Emmetsburg Wellness Center, a Hospital Auxiliary and was a hospice volunteer for many years. She also enjoyed her summers at Lost Island Lake.

Survivors include her daughter, Becky (Ed) Dewey of Pocahontas; daughter-in-law, Karen Hudek of Dubuque; grandchildren, Nathan (Destin) Hudek of Porter, TX, Matthew (Katie) Hudek of Cresco, Angela (Brocklon) Chatman of St. Louis, MO, Brian (Corey) Dewey of Mt. Prospect, IL, Melissa (Josh) Stroschein of Brandon, SD; 4 foster grandchildren; 4 step-grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Francis; her son, E. Dan; daughter, Jackie; 3 foster-daughters, Karen, Donna and Carol, and her brothers, Jack, Dick and Bob.