Janet Fay (Spannagel) Guptill, age 87, of Jordan Montana, passed away peacefully at the Garfield County Health Center in Jordan, Montana on Friday, October 22, 2021.
Janet was born May 12, 1934 in Forsyth, Montana to John and Dorothy (Tait) Spannagel. Janet went to Howard Grade School and graduated in 1947 and graduated from Forsyth High School in 1951.
Janet married Lester Guptill Jr. in Forsyth, Montana on April 21, 1951. After graduating she joined Lester at Fort Lewis, Washington. She then returned to Forsyth when Lester was transferred to Fort Richardson, Alaska. After Lester returned, they lived in Forsyth. Their first son, Stuart, born on January 31, 1954, they moved to Bozeman, where their daughter, Cynthia was born March 4,1956. Janet worked as a meat wrapper, salesclerk, and in the bakery before going to work for the Sheep Department at the Animal Science Department at Montana State University in 1957. Lester graduated from MSU in 1959. They moved to Cut Bank, Montana and later moved to Broadus, Montana. Their Second son, Scott, was born on April 26, 1960. After living in Broadus for two years, they returned to Bozeman where Lester later returned to MSU and Janet worked and helped move books from the old library to the new one. In 1962, Lester and Janet moved to Jordan, Montana where their third son, Grant, was born on August 23, 1966. Janet worked for Ryan’s Grocery, for the Husky Service Station and Cafe, at the Garfield Title and Insurance, and as editor for Jordan Tribune from 1970-1981. She then worked for Mid-Rivers Telephone in 1981 for two and a half years as editor of their publication “411” that she started there. In 1982, she began working on an advertising publication called The Prairie Breeze for two years in Miles City. She began The Tradewind Shopper in Miles City, then moved the business to Jordan, which ran till health issues caused the closure in May 2020. In 1991 she started the Garfield County Very Own Local Paper and changed it to the Jordan Tribune till May 2020.
Janet enjoyed many activities, including Civic Club, 4-H and American Red Cross.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy Spannagel; her husband, Lester Guptill, Jr.; and infant daughter, Cynthia.
She is survived by her three sons Stuart (Renee) Guptill of Buffalo, South Dakota, Scott (Audrey) Guptill of Havre, Montana, and Grant (Cheryl) Guptill of Joplin, Missouri; grandchildren Denise (Tom) McMillan of Duvall, Washington and Jeff Guptill of Missoula, Montana; great-grand children: Kenny and Kellen McMillan, and Dakota, Trinity and Ember Guptill; and great great grandchildren Addison Guptill; a brother Morris (Mae) Spannagel of Hysham, MT; step grandsons Stephen (Sarah) Black and their children, Ella, Ian and Asa, of Springfield, Missouri and Jaymes (Vicki) Black and their children, Aurora and Sadie of Green Bay, Wisconsin and step granddaughter, Hannah Higginbotham of Joplin, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the charity of one’s choice in Janet’s name.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons- Jordan, Montana. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 29, 2021 at the VFW Hall with interment immediately following the service at Hearts of Peace Cemetery in Brussett, MT.
Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 28, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Interment
Immediately Following The Funeral Service
Friday October 29, 2021
Hearts Of Peace Cemetery
Brussett, Montana 59318
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday October 28, 2021
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Interment
Immediately Following The Funeral Service
Friday October 29, 2021
Hearts Of Peace Cemetery
Brussett, Montana 59318
Share
Linda Estes says
Stuart, Scott and Grant. So sad to see this. Have many fond memories of living with your family in the 60’s. She gave a lot to the Jordan community and will be missed. Prayers for healing thoughts in the days ahead.
Marjorie Bolejack Anderson says
Grant and family, so sorry for the loss of your mom. My prayers are with you.
Jo Ryan says
Stuart, Scott, and Grant,
So sorry for your loss. I enjoyed working with your Mom. May she fly with the angels now.
Jody and Dave Schultz says
Grant, Scott, and Stuart – We are so sorry for your loss.’ Janet had a zest for life like no one I have ever known. Your mother could work all day and out of no where an amazing meal would be on the table. But her number one love was you boys and your dad and all her grandchildren. My favorite memory is when we came to visit and we were going to take the bus to Hells Creek and your mom started yelling Fire in the Hole Fire in the Hole and the bus was on fire ! We still went and had a great day. Love you all Dave and Jody
Karen Barnes says
Stuart, Scott and Grant and families – my condolllences to you in the loss of your mother – may all your good memories bring you comfort at this difficult time and in the days and weeks ahead. God Bless.
Steve Hardin says
Janet Guptil was a wonderful friend and always treated me with respect. She will be sorely missed and I send my sincerest condolences to her sons and their families.
Richard Galla says
Scott,Stuart and Grant sorry to hear about your mother she will be missed by all.
Bev says
Stuart, Scott, Grant and your families. I’m so sorry for your loss. Janet gave me my first job. I always enjoyed it. Then her and Mom spent many, many years working together. God be with each of you.
Robert and Carol McNutt says
Stewart,Scott,Grant, and families, Your mother was an amazing lady. Our deepest sympathy for your loss. God Bless you in your time of need.
Jeana Bliss says
Stuart, Scott, and Grant,
My deepest sympathies to you and your families. Your mom was an incredible person. Every time I had occasion to visit with her she was full of information and I always learned something from it. She will be missed.
Teresa & John Clifford says
Grant and Cheryl, So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers🙏🏻
Lige and Mary Ann Murray says
Janet was amazing and had a great interest in agriculture. WIFE used her booth many years at the MATE and GATE. We visited for hours about ag issues and she also had a deep love for Garfield County. Janet always got around to keeping me up on her boys and their families as well. She will always be fondly remembered. Condolences to all her family. Cherish those wonderful memories.
Kathy (Montgomery) Gangner says
Stuart and Renee, Scott and Audrey, Grant and Cheryl, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of such a wonderful and fun lady. My memories of her are all about the crazy things we did together- like making canned sand cherries in the middle of the night! So many others that I could write a book.
I hope you are comforted by knowing that she is with other family members and watching over all of you now.
Prayers and hugs.
Clay and Karen taylor says
All of the family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers sorry we can’t attend the service we have to work
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Susan Ochs says
Stuart and family .sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. Thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Byranna Kaster says
Always enjoyed Janet’s visits to Iowa to catch up with the Tait cousins. Dorothy ,John, Janet and Lester which later became Janet and Dorothy always had so much fun listening to their adventures and life in general in Montana. I finally got to see the vast Montana state when I traveled with my parents Byron and Felva Tait for Dorothy’s 9oth Birthday . It was great to meet so many Tait cousins and connect my genealogy pieces together. I’ve missed her random calls to catch up but Grant has kindly kept us informed and hopefully we can stay in touch. Sympathy to all of you.
Bob and Jane Engdahl says
Stuart, Scott, Grant and families, our thoughts and prayers are with you folks during this time of sorrow. May your many memories help you through this. She was a wonderful lady and will be dearly missed. God Bless!
Jim and Evelyn says
Dear Grant, and family, you are in our thoughts, and prayers, we are so sorry for the loss of your mom, may the good memories you share, and knowing your mom lives on in your hearts bring you comfort as you go through these difficult days ahead. Our love, Jim, and Evelyn.
Muff Engdahl says
Stuart, Scott, Grant and all of Janet’s family,
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. So many memories of this wonderful, loving, smart, funny, caring lady through the years. My heart is hurting with all of you. I will think of her every time I make Divinity and homemade noodles. I can hear her playing the Entertainer on the piano as I type this. Hold your memories close, they will help you through the tough days ahead.
Love to all of you – Muff
Andy Tait says
On behalf my parents Betty & Jerry Tait, me, my brother Steve Tait, and our families, we are all really sad to hear of Janet’s passing. May she rest in peace. My dad Jerry Tait really enjoyed his calls with Janet. They would spend at least an hour on every phone call. They enjoyed their discussions of what was going on in their lives. Janet is a good example for all of us. She is a trailblazer for sure. I am so thankful for the historical book “Trials and Triumphs” by Janet and Dorothy. Janet and Dorothy were each one of a kind and they made their own mark on history while preserving history for the rest of us. May God’s peace be with Janet and with the families of Stuart, Scott, and Grant! God bless!
Andy Tait
Glenn and Katie Hageman says
So sorry to hear of Janet’s passing. She did a fine job of providing her journalism talents, keeping Garfield County residents informed near and far. If we ever had news to share she was always helpful and well versed. I always enjoyed our visits and her sharing our wedding was her first wedding story for the Tribune. She wanted it to be current and called on my Mom and Glenn’s Mom for details. Her many talents will be missed in the Jordan community. May the family find peace and strength in the days ahead. Our sympathy,
Glenn and Katie Hageman
Lynda Johnston says
Stuart, Scott, and Grant and families,
I have so many memories of your mom down through all our 4-H years, but her great support of my dad as county commissioner will always be my favorite. It was such a hard time and she gave him confidence to continue on in spite of loss. She also had a huge heart for Christian community and discussed how churches could better reach the needs of community for whole health care and outreach. Her newspaper kept me connected to Garfield county even though I’ve never gotten to live here. May all the wonderful memories and the knowledge that she lived the Lord comfort you at this time.
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Condolences ,and Prayers for all of Janet’s Family She will be missed by all who knew her May you find comfort in all of your memories and in Gods Love
Dawn Bolejack- Leidholt says
Grant and family– my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. So sorry for your loss.
Bill and Rita FitzGerald says
Grant, Scott and Stuart you had one of the best role models there could be! Janet was always involved and willing to step in when needed. I wish more “Janets” were in this world! All our prayers for you so you can hold each other up to honor a great mom!
Bill and Rita
Jennifer Baumann says
Love and prayers to all of the family and friends of Janet. I always enjoyed visiting with her about our family history. Rest in Peace
Carol Williams says
My sympathy to Janet’s family. She was so interesting to visit with and always had fun stories to share. God bless.
Sara Tait says
PRAYERS FOR THE FAMILY.
Jenny Frady says
may God Bless all of Janet’s family , so sorry for you all ! may her soul rest in peace
Marion Peeler says
I am so very sorry for your loss. Janet was a good friend whose memory I will cherish. Coming along with her and Cynthia on excursions and the years we had the garden in Forsyth are very special memories that I will never forget.
Claudia Stanton says
Condolences to all of Janet’s Family and Friends. Janet was a good friend and very interesting to visit with. She had a memory of history of our area like no other. May She Rest In Peace and may the good memories of the past help you get through the days to come. God Be With You All. Tom and Claudia
Edla Billing McKerlick says
I afmired Janet’s good editorials and would call her to tell her. Also she was so good to her mother. Blessings upon Janet and all of you. My sympathy to the Guptill family.
Delores Hill says
My thoughts and prayers are with you boys and families. Janet was a special friend and I loved her in a special way. 4-H was such a part of our friendship with both of your parents and Phil and I, and we had so many memories. God bless you all and give you comfort. Janet was so good to Kevin and Gala, also, so we have special memories from our entire family. With our sympathy and prayers, Delores Hill
Roxie Saylor says
Condolences to all of Janets family,we where saddened to hear of her passing.We had some great times putting together the Jordan Tribune.Janet was a good boss and always took time to stop by to see how we all where doing.We will miss you Janet. Rest In Peace our friend.
GARY AND PAT HELM says
TO JANETS FAMILY
GOD BLESS YOU ALL AT THIS TIME OF NEED. WHAT A GOOD TIME WE HAD WITH YIOUR FAMILY DURING ALL THE 4H YEARS
Donald & Mickie Farnes says
I was so sorry to hear about Janet’s passing. My Mom, Fernetta Spannagel, was a cousin of Janet’s. I and my entire family send our condolences to all the Guptill family. She was such an amazing woman and she was so interesting to talk to. She will be sorely missed! I and my entire family will be forever grateful that Janet and her Mom, Dorothy, wrote the book, Trials and Triumphs, because the book made it possible for me to be reunited with my little brothers, Wedge & Marie and Vince & Chris and all of their families! We were reunited in early February, 2015 and it has been an amazing time ever since! Thank you Janet & Dorothy for making it happen!! May God Bless!!
Lloyd &Meryl McKenna says
Stuart, Scott and Grant and families. Your mom was a true gem! We will miss her smiles and stories. Prayers and hugs for all. Janet and Les are together again. God bless all of you.
Mark Tait McDanolds and Jan says
Guptill Family – We will miss visiting Janet when we come to Montana hunting as we have for the past ten years. Our visit to Jordan included a wild mud run up Hell Creek Road in her pickup. She entertained us with Montana stories and we told her about life in Iowa. My mother, who passed away in December, loved visiting with Janet on the phone which always lasted at least an hour! Janet will be missed. She was a treasure! We are so sorry for your loss.