Janet Willis was born April 19, 1955, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Duane and Evelyn (Sullivan) Wright and passed away Dec. 28, 2020, in Lincoln, at the age of 65 years, 8 months and 9 days.
Janet grew up on a ranch near Ordway, Colorado, where she attended Crowley County High School, graduating in 1973. On Dec. 1, 1972, Janet was united in marriage to Joseph Howard Willis, Jr. in Golden, Colorado. Janet was a stay-at-home mom for a few years until she began working as a waitress in a few restaurants in the Denver metro area. In 1986, the family moved to Las Vegas where Joe worked in the concrete business and Janet started working at Sears Business Sales, selling computers and then moving on to a handful of other jobs before landing her favorite at Outwest Meat Co. There she developed several lifelong and cherished relationships. Once their children were grown, the couple purchased a fixer upper in northern Nevada in the town of Caliente. Janet and Joe spent countless weekends there hunting, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors. She also enjoyed two-step dancing, her gardening, flowers, singing, cooking and baking, especially bread. In 2013, she moved to Milford to be close to her daughter. She had a deep faith and love for Jesus and shared that with others every chance she got.
She was preceded in death by her brother, JD; father, Duane; and husband, Joseph.
Janet is survived by her children, Dawnia and husband, Ben Ramirez, Milford, T.J. Willis, Utah; eight grandchildren, Jayk Willis, Randi Willis, Raquel Ramirez, Gabriel Ramirez, Kira Ramirez, Autumn Ramirez, Summer Ramirez and Heather Ramirez; two great-grandchildren, Trenton Kavan and Mayson Cauley; brother, John Wright; four sisters, Patsy and husband, Mike Thompkins, Linda Sullivan, Ginger Mitchell, Tammy and husband, John Van Ort; mother, Evelyn Wright; and her companion dog, Jimmi.
A Celebration of Life was Jan. 2 at the Milford Mennonite Church. Memorial contributions are suggested to the church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.
