Janet Rose VanHorn

Growing up in South Dakota and attending school with her siblings, her strong family bonds shaped her early years. She later moved to Minnesota, where she met her first husband, Dale Wagner. They were married and together welcomed four children: Randy, Sheila, Mike, and Michele. Though her marriage to Dale ended, Janet continued forward with her family. Later, she met and married Loren DeFrance, whom she cared for until his death.

A hard-working mother of four, Janet managed to raise her children through high school on what little she had. She worked in a nursing home, pouring her heart into the well-being of the residents she served. She instilled her love for the holidays with her children, with decorations and baking, and passed down those traditions.

A year after her move to Arizona, Janet met the love of her life, A. Frank VanHorn. Together, they enjoyed holidays, traveling, and boating. Their trip to Germany created lasting memories, along with countless trips of houseboating at Lake Mead. Frank brought a grounding presence into her life, offering her love, stability, and the security she had long needed. Janet lived well and Frank was her rock.

After Frank passed, Janet’s passion for sports grew. She was a huge fan of the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. Her love of basketball and the Phoenix Suns brought our family together and brought peace on her final day. We remember Janet and all the days of her shouting with excitement, waving her orange pom poms, texting her family on each play by play, and creating hand-made sports memorabilia to share her pride.

Janet loved her family. Even though the early years were challenging, she treasured those around her. Her words were shared with a pen and a card, for holidays, thank you, and special occasions. Janet leaves behind her children: Randy, Sheila, Mike, and Michele; her grandchildren: John, Brandt, Gerrit, Erin, and James; and her great-grandchildren: Skye, Emma, Wes, Brooklyn, Kaley, Camden, and James’s five children. She also leaves behind her siblings, Duane and Char.

Janet was greeted in heaven by her parents, Joseph and Edna; her husband, best friend, hero, and love, Frank; and her siblings, Sharon, Mary, Frank, and Betty. Janet will be remembered for staying strong through life’s challenges.