Janet Martell 03/28/2026

Janet Myrtle (Flandrick) Martell, age 92, passed away at home surrounded by family and loved ones on March 28, 2026. Janet was born on April 4, 1933, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to parents Lullabell and Harold Flandrick.

Janet thrived growing up on her parents’ farm, learning resilience from an early age after a serious setback at age 3. She particularly loved the farm’s workhorses and all the baby animals. She met Lawrence “Larry” Martell on her parents’ farm. After Janet graduated from New Richmond High School, she and Larry were married on September 1st, 1951.

Janet enjoyed being outside and in nature, so she was content to continue farm life with Larry. The family farm was a great place to raise their large family of 9 children.

On the farm, Janet would feed every animal and tend to her large gardens without fail, but preparing supper for her always hungry brood was the biggest chore of all. She also had a soft spot for runts and would bring the baby animals inside and nurse them back to health alongside the children.

Janet had a quiet strength. She didn’t ask for much, but when she did, it was important, and she was determined to make it happen. Even in her later years, Janet would require improvements and expansions to the gardens at the family farm and direct the work from the comforts of her lawn chair.

She was a devoted and kind person to many. Janet loved being around family as part of the chaos, rather than the center of attention. Janet was a supportive auxiliary member of the Somerset American Legion and a lifelong member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Somerset.

Janet and Larry worked as a team on the farm, land, and with their family. They loved to dance, connect with friends and neighbors, and did some traveling – visiting Europe and family across the US. They were married for an incredible 69 years.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents: Harold and Lullabell (Mealey) Flandrick; beloved husband Lawrence Martell, brother Richard (Dick) Flandrick, brother Russell Flandrick; daughter Kathleen ‘Kay’ Martell; daughter-in-law Tresa Martell, son-in-law William Smith, and grandchild, Josh Derrick

She is survived by her children, Carol (Jerry) Parsons, Angeline ‘Angie’ Smith, Rochelle Kelley, Keith (Becky) Martell, Harold Martell, Dianne (Timothy) Schweitzer, Helen (Donald) Derrick, Loren (Orvilla) Martell; grandchildren, Heather (John) Winter, Nicholas Johnson, Andrew (Meghan) Parsons, Tyler Johnson, Wyatt (Joyce) Parsons, Allison (Matthew) Parsons, Erika Martell, Robert (Tanya) Martell, Garrett (Kelley Marshall) Kelley, Michelle Martell, Gina Martell, Tasia (Chad) Edwards, Leah (Damion) Wilson, Elijah (Kelsey) Kelley; great-grandchildren, Amethyst ‘Rosie’ Morrow, Penelope Winter, Willow Parsons, Emaline Winter, Elizabeth Martell, Luka Parsons, Elliot Wilson, Blake Martell, Ella Parsons, Liam Kelley, Ollivander Kelley, Brody Edwards, Leon Wilson, Jaxson Edwards, Callahan Kelley. Also survived by her sister, Joyce Mante.

Janet will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

Donations received by the family will be divided between the Somerset Senior Center and the Wisconsin Purple Martin Association in memory of Janet.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 11 am at St. Anne Catholic Church in Somerset, Wisconsin, followed by a luncheon. The visitation is at 10 am.

Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.