Janice H. Schnell, 81

Janice H. Schnell, 81, peacefully "left God's earthly kingdom" on Monday, March 21, 2005, with her family at her side, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell.

She was born on Sept. 1, 1923, the only child of Leslie F. and Myrtle (Swink) Horton. Janice was raised in Sisseton, S.D., in large measure by her great-aunt, Prudence Rath and husband, Wes.

She graduated from high school and went on to attend Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn.; graduating in 1945. Janice was brought to Kalispell by her mentor, Ed Beckstrand, to teach choral music and English at Flathead County High School.

She married Jerry Schnell in 1949.

She was a choir director at the First Presbyterian Church and a private voice instructor for more than 50 years. Hundreds of students learned to sing with Janice. She was a member and significant contributor to the First Presbyterian Church, the Glacier Chorale, Chapter C-PEO, and Community Concerts.

Janice enjoyed music and the fine arts, women's groups, playing bridge, and walking in the outdoors.

Janice was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry, in 2000.

She is survived by her son, Marty Schnell, and wife, Christina, and grandsons, Andrew and Eric Schnell, all of Los Gatos, Calif.

Memorial services for Janice H. Schnell will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Glenn Burfeind officiating. Urn burial will follow at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, 540 S. Main, Kalispell, MT 59901; Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite100, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to Macalester College, St. Paul, Minn.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Janice's family.