Janet Chloe Reichmuth

Janet Chloe Carson Reichmuth was born on June 27, 1933, in Columbus, Nebraska the only child of Richard Benjamin and Rosa (Test) Carson. She grew up in Madison, Nebraska where she attended grade school and graduated from Madison High School in 1951, as class Salutatorian before enrolling in the Bryan Memorial Hospital Nursing program in Lincoln, graduating in 1954. As a schoolgirl, Janet enjoyed music, playing the saxophone in the school band and was active in pep club. She worked at Brown McDonald clothing store, the local dry cleaners and the local soda shop, where all the boys would hang out. It was here that Janet met Billy Reichmuth, a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, in the 9th grade and they dated off and on through high school and nursing school. Janet married Bill on December 21, 1953, at St. Leonard’s Catholic Church in Madison, Nebraska while Bill was on leave from his U.S. Army deployment in Philadelphia. This was no easy task. Bill had to make arrangements for his leave and Janet had to resign from nursing school and then reapply for the final four months of her schooling. (Bryan did not allow their nursing students to get married during their schooling without jumping through hoops). They were blessed with three children: Jon, Kim and Jay. Janet and Bill lived in Philadelphia for a year, Norfolk, Nebraska for two years while Bill attended college and Chicago for two years before settling in Valley, Nebraska in 1960. Janet worked at a local hospital in Philadelphia, stayed home with her two children in Chicago and Valley. Janet would help out at Dr. Denker’s office in Valley during vacations but never full time. The family lived on Hudspith and Harrier streets in the south end of Valley until 1971 when they moved to the funeral home. In 1991, Janet, Bill and Jon purchased the Swanson Funeral Homes in Valley, Elkhorn and Yutan. Janet played an even larger role in the daily operations then and continued until 2002 when her health made it difficult for her to manage. After Bill’s death in 1995, Janet sold the business to Jon and Mary but remained in the funeral home apartment until her move to Orchard Garden in 2010. Janet enjoyed reading, nursing school reunions and convention trips. Janet and Bill took their children on annual vacations including Colorado, the Ozarks, Washington state, Montana and Michigan. They also enjoyed many vacations with their friends, most notable was their trip to Japan. Janet enjoyed a hot cup of coffee and could fall asleep in her recliner late at night with a cup at her side. In 2010 Janet move into Orchard Garden and after a short adjustment period she settled into a comfortable schedule. After her second amputation in 2014, her mobility was even more challenged and required her to move to Brookestone Meadows in Elkhorn. She became an even more active reader after retirement until her stroke in 2013 when her vision became just distorted enough that she required large print books to read. Janet felt her greatest achievement was graduating from nursing school and her greatest disappointment was not being able to practice full time. She spent most of her time helping Bill become successful in his career. Janet had one big pet peeve: staying home to answer the business phone, which she did for over 40 years. Janet endured many physical challenges during her life but took each of them in stride, not allowing them to define her or slow her down. She was a 65-year member of St. John’s Catholic in Valley and a longtime supporter of the Valley Library. She always enjoyed the “coffee group” which started as weekly, then monthly and finally whenever was possible, occurring at Brookestone Meadows. Janet passed away peacefully on April 25, 2026, at Brookestone Meadows at the age of 92 years, 9 months and 29 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Rosa (Test) Carson, husband Bill and son Jay. Janet is survived by her children Jon and Mary Reichmuth of Elkhorn, NE and Kim and Mike Loseke of Columbus, NE; Grandchildren Sarah and Dustin Kessler of Humphrey, NE; Melissa and Greg Ablett of Omaha, NE; Heather Loseke of Fremont, NE and Ellen and Kevin Thomsen of Bennington, NE; Great Grandchildren Braydon and Nola Lill (Patrick Lill); Karly, Nyla, Scarlett, Vance and Clyne Kessler and Thayer and Gemma Thomsen. Visitation Tuesday 4-7 at the funeral home with a wake service at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday 11 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Valley. Interment St. Leonard’s Catholic Cemetery in Madison, NE. Memorials to the Valley Library Foundation.

Janet Chloe Reichmuth

June 27, 1933 - April 25, 2026