Janell Palmer Reeve

Janell Palmer Reeve, 82, of Redmond, Washington, passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2026 from inflammatory breast cancer. Janell was born on September 5, 1943 to Mahala and Freeman Palmer in Safford, Arizona and spent most of her youth in various towns in eastern Arizona.

Janell married Francis “Frank” Reeve March 21, 1970 in the Oakland, California Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For the first ten years of their marriage they lived in Fremont, California. In 1980, they moved to Redmond, Washington, where they have remained ever since.

A lifelong, active, devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Janell served in various capacities in the church throughout her life, particularly in the Primary and Relief Society organizations; she also served as an ordinance worker in the Seattle Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2008, she and Frank served a full-time mission for the Church in South Korea for 18 months.

Janell was trained as a librarian, using these skills when she worked at a middle school before marriage and afterwards when she organized her household and surrounded her family with books. Her genealogical research and record-keeping of family history was meticulous. She was a loyal and devoted wife, supporting Frank throughout their married life in his various professional and volunteer capacities. She willingly gave many thousands of hours of volunteer service at church, as well as at public schools as a classroom volunteer. Janell, like many women of her generation, grew a home garden, canned, cooked, baked, sewed, and did various handicrafts. She was an avid reader, a hobby that brought her comfort throughout her life and even in her last months.

Janell and Frank have three daughters: Amy (Brent Chelius), Kathleen (Greg Baxter), and Suzanne—and two sons: Christopher (Jodi Cook) and Gregory (Adriana Doria). To Janell, being a mother and grandmother was one of the greatest blessings of her life. She is survived by her beloved husband, Frank, all five children, three of their spouses, 13 grandchildren, and younger brothers David and Monte. She will be deeply missed.

She was predeceased by both parents, son-in-law Greg Baxter, and siblings Anna Belle, LaVon, Cherril, Darvol, Carl D, Fremela, Dan, and Jeffrey.

Services will be held on Saturday February 7 at 11am at 7720 126th Ave. NE Kirkland, Washington 98033. A small family graveside service will follow later.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the humanitarian, missionary, temple, or family history funds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.