Janelle R. Lang

Janelle R. Lang, 69, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on Friday, August 21, 2026, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul.

Father Vince Parsons presided.

Robert Northrup, IV, Nikke Northrup, and Ally Northrup were the lectors and the gift bearers.

Mary Jo Serbousek was the musician.

Selections included “Be Not Afraid,” “Shepherd Me, O God,” “Make Me A Channel of Your Peace,” “I Am The Bread of Life,” “You Raise Me Up,” “On Eagle’s Wings,” and “Amazing Grace.”

Pallbearers were Mark Barta, Mike Barta, Ryan Barta, Robert Northrup, IV, Tony Cantrell, and Robert Northrup, III.

Honorary pallbearers were Ken Kunze, Jr., Dick Barta, Greg Barta, Jason Sornson, Gary Lang, and Adrian Barta.

Interment was in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.

Jacobsen- Greenway-Dietz Funeral Home in St. Paul is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society or the family for later designation.

Janelle was born on November 24, 1956, to Richard and Wilma (Karel) Barta in West Point. She grew up on a farm with three older brothers, in rural Howells, where she attended District 32 in Stanton County—a one-room schoolhouse— through the eighth grade. She graduated from Howells High School in 1975. After graduation, she moved to Grand Island and attended the Grand Island School of Business, where she met her future husband, Allen Lang.

The couple was united in marriage on April 8, 1978, in Howells. They moved to St. Paul in 1978 where they raised their family and created a beautiful life together for nearly five decades until she lost her battle with cancer. During her working years, she worked in Grand Island at Connell School, Nash Finch, and Principal Financial.

Janelle was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul where, for several years, she enjoyed teaching CCD. She had a way of making everything fun, and she loved to laugh. The couple cherished their weekly lunch dates and traveling to visit their precious grandchildren, whom she loved to spoil. Thrift shopping and doing home projects kept her busy, and puzzles and sudokus kept her mind sharp; however, she did enjoy a good mystery show.

Most of all, she will be remembered as having a generous, kind heart. She always put others before herself, and her light-hearted humor and fun-spirited soul will remain in the memories of those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Those left to cherish Janelle’s memory include her husband, Allen Lang of St. Paul; her three children, Amanda (Robert III) Northrup of Henderson, Nevada, Alex (Nicole) Lang of Portland, Oregon, and Lisa Lang of Omaha; seven grandchildren, Robert IV, Nikkola, Alijana, Olivia, and Clara Northrup and Madelyn and Hailey Lang; brothers and sister-in-law, Dick (Jean) Barta of Urbandale, Iowa and Greg Barta of Blair; sister-in-law, Pam Barta of Norfolk; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Gary (La Rita) Lang of Lincoln and Sharon (Mike) Janke of Saginaw, Texas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Janelle was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Adrian Barta.

The Phonograph-Herald | September 2, 2026