Janet (Kilgard) Gillen, age 88, died Saturday, December 26, 2009. She was born August 14, 1921 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to Martin and Cecilia Kilgard, the second youngest of eleven children.

Growing up on a farm, Janet developed a strong work ethic, helping out by milking the cows and driving the horses on the hay fork. She attended Sherman County grade school and Mount Pleasant Lawn High School through her freshman year. She then attended New London High School, where she graduated in 1940.

After graduation, Janet did house work and cared for the children of a family in New London and for a family in Mt. Pleasant. She moved with her younger sister Frances to Moline, Illinois, in 1942, living with the family of their older sister Florence. In Moline, Janet got a job at the Rock Island Arsenal. When WWII was over, her job there was no longer required and she got a job at Williams and White in Moline.

Janet married Carl Gillen on November 14, 1948 in Moline. In March of 1949, Janet and Carl moved to Fremont, Nebraska, where Carl was co-owner of the Dairy Queen. Janet and Carl became members of First Congregational Church, where Janet was president of her Circle and served as a deaconess. Janet volunteered with the Women's hospital auxillary, helping out in the gift shop for over 30 years. She took up golf when she was in her 30's, serving a term as the president of the Women's Golf Association, and winning the Women's Club Championship in 1975. Janet had nine holes in one, her final ace at the age of 80.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, five sisters and four brothers, and her husband Carl.

Janet is survived by daughter and son-in-law Carol and Millard Shires of Bellingham, Washington; daughter and son-in-law Ann and Ron Ramsey of Lincoln, Nebraska; son and daughter-in-law Kurt and Kristine Gillen of Bellingham, Washington; grandchildren Jennifer Hill, Christopher Shires, Nicholas Ramsey, Alyssa Ramsey, Cortney Gillen, Meghan Gillen, and Carli Gillen; great-grandchild Emry Shires; brother and sister-in-law Cecil and Shirley Kilgard; and sister-in-laws Helen Gillen and Glenys Kilgard.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Dugan Funeral Chapel in Fremont.

No visitation.

Memorials can be made to the Fremont Friendship Center or the Fremont Area Medical Center Foundation.

Condolences may be left at www.duganchapel.com