Jan Kenitzer

Funeral Service for Jan Kenitzer, 85, will take place 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at American Lutheran Church with Don Buerkle officiating. Burial to follow at the Hettinger Cemetery.

Family Receiving Friends will be 4:00-6:00 p.m. Monday, August 5, 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home.

Jan Kenitzer of Baker passed away August 1, 2024.

Janice Glenn Kenitzer left her earthly home for a better one on August 1, 2024.

Janice, or Jan as most called her, was born on a farm outside of Dadeville, Missouri, to John and Lilly Gilmore Glenn on August 29, 1938. 

Jan had one brother Kenneth whom she adored. Jan’s father died leaving her and her mom and brother to move into the town of Dadeville. She graduated from Dadeville High School in 1956 and moved to Springfield, Missouri, to attend cosmetology school. While at school she met the love of her life, Del Kenitzer. They were married on August 31, 1957, at the Lutheran Church in Reeder North Dakota. 

To this wonderful romance came three children, DeeDee, Wincel and Kenny. Jan, Del and family started their life together in Dickinson, North Dakota, where Del worked for Montana Dakota Utilities Company and Jan worked at Sears. 

Within a few years they were transferred to Hebron, North Dakota. Hebron would be their home for many years. Jan was very active in the community and in many organizations like church choir, served as a Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader and Mrs. JC’s. She also helped in Bible School.

But Jan wanted to continue with her cosmetology studies and went back to school. After a year, she graduated and opened a salon in her home in Hebron.

In 1972, Del was transferred with MDU to Baker, Montana, where they would make their forever home. Here, she became heavily involved in the community, the Lutheran Church, the Baker Band Boosters, and the Chamber of Commerce. She was also appointed by the Governor of Montana to service on the State tourism council.

Always in search of a project, they bought the old Star Rest Motel in 1976, eventually renovating, adding on and renaming it the Sagebrush Inn. They ran the motel on and off for nearly 30 years before selling it in 2005.

Once Del retired, they began many years of traveling including adventures in an RV. They spent their winters in Arizona and eventually returned to the Dakotas and Montana. They moved to Spearfish to be more centrally located around family and medical facilities. They made their way back to Baker again in the fall of 2023. 

Jan spent her final days in the Parkview senior housing close to family and life-long friends. She died peacefully with her family at her side on August 1, 2024. She is survived by her husband of more than 66 years, children DeeDee (husband John) of Baker, MT, Wincel (wife Stephanie) of Denver, CO, son Kenny (wife Cheryl) of Gillette, WY, and nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her brother and parents.

She will be forever loved and remembered.