Janice Kay (Smith) Irwin

Janice Kay (Smith) Irwin was born on December 27, 1952 to Clyde and Lela Smith in Benkelman, NE. She grew up with five siblings and always had stories to tell of her childhood. She loved growing up in the Country, riding horses, and had fond memories of the Hackberry Creek where her Great Grandfather had homesteaded. She graduated from Haigler High School in 1971. On April 29, 1972, she married the love of her life, Aaron Irwin and to this union were two daughters, Janelle Marie and Michelle Lee. Later in 1973, they moved to Fayetteville, NC where Aaron had reenlisted in the Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg. Later in 1975, they moved back to Haigler, NE and this is where they lived until their passing.

Janice worked for the Haigler Coop/St. Francis Equity for approximately 36 years and was on the Haigler Ambulance Service for 30 years, 18 of those years were served as Ambulance Crew Chief. She enjoyed racing cars with her husband and brother, Jim Smith, in her earlier years. Janice had a strong work ethic that she had passed down to her children and grandchildren. She loved working with the public and missed it greatly after she retired.

Janice is proceeded in death by her parents, Clyde & Lela Smith; father and mother-in-law, Howard & Thelma Irwin; infant brother, Larry and her husband of 45 years, Aaron.

She is survived by her daughters, Janelle Irwin; and Michelle Peterson & Alex all of Haigler, NE; granddaughters; Darrian Jones of Cody, NE; and Jolissa Wiggins of Yuma, CO; grandson, Clay Jones & Makala of Whitman, NE; and great-grandchildren, Ryker & Reata Jones of Whitman, NE.

She is also survived by her siblings; Robert Smith of St. Francis, KS; Jim & Kathy Smith of Wray, CO; Shirley Smith of St. Francis, KS; Ronald Smith of St. Francis, KS and Patricia Leisure of McCook, NE. and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 26, 2020, 9:30 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 135 S. Porter Avenue, Haigler, NE with Pastor Gary Fisher officiating. Interment was held in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Champion, NE.

Memorials may be made to the Anschutz Cancer Pavilion, 1665 Aurora Court, Aurora, Colorado 80045.

Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.