Obituary of Janet A. Taylor

Surrounded by love as she has been throughout her life, Janet Adams Gabel Taylor died on June 15, 2014, in Iowa City, IA. She was born to Helen Cobb Adams and Vinton George Adams on June 11, 1919, in Sioux City, IA. A strong, determined and beautiful woman, she accomplished her goal of living to celebrate her 95th birthday. Janet is survived by and is dearly missed by her daughter and son-in-law, Jan Gabel Down and Jim Down of Iowa City, IA; daughter-in-law, Glenda Gabel of Long Beach, CA; granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Julie Gabel and Carl Couchman of San Jose, CA; Tamara Gabel and Jim Senal of Woodside, CA; Mara Down Frazier and Doug Frazier of Boulder, CO; Tania Down of Boulder, CO; great-grandsons Ryan Frazier and Cameron Frazier also of Boulder, CO; brother, John Adams of Fripp Island, SC; sister-in-law, Dorothy Adams of Pacific Grove, CA; stepson and his wife, Stan and Carolyn Taylor of Ashland, NE; step-daughter, Karen Taylor Mortensen of Akron, IA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Cloyde Gabel and Harvey Taylor; son, Keith Gabel; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Jennifer Down Knorr and Bernd Knorr; sister, Enid Adams in childhood; brothers, Edward Adams, Robert Adams, and Charles Adams. Janet's childhood was spent on The River Farm in Union County, South Dakota. Her homes as an adult included two farms she shared with Cloyde for 23 years, The Home Farm and The Other Place, in Plymouth County, Iowa; homes in Orange County, California for 35 years; an Akron, IA home with Harvey; and eventually, Iowa City where she lived for 19 years. After Cloyde's death in 1967, she managed The Home Farm which became the Gabel Family's Century Farm in 2004. Wherever she resided, she was a positive influence. In California, she was best known as The Broom Lady. She wore out innumerable brooms keeping the neighborhood sidewalks and streets swept clean. Her daughter-in-law wrote a short story entitled, "The Broom Lady," in reference to Janet's collection of all kinds of brooms. Her granddaughters, great-grandsons and their friends knew her as Grandma Gabel, a name that to them meant love, acceptance, and pride in each of their lives and accomplishments. Janet was a role model who held very high standards, lived up to them and encouraged others to do so as well. She loved to laugh and enjoyed the whimsy of a good story, especially about children, her favorite topic. During her Iowa farm days she worked with youth organizations in her church and the schools her children attended. She also served in United Presbyterian Women and Farm Bureau as member and officer. Caring for family and neighbors' children were among her happiest times. For over 20 years she provided food, transportation, assistance and love to her California neighbors-an MS stricken mother, her three children and husband. Janet chose to donate her body to the Anatomy Department of the University of Iowa for research and educational purposes. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, August 9th at Plymouth Presbyterian Church near Akron, Iowa where she was a member for many years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Iowa City Hospice, 1025 Wade Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 or Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, 2401Scott Boulevard SE, Iowa City, Iowa 52240. Janet's family wishes to express their gratitude to her compassionate and dedicated caregivers at Briarwood Rehabilitation and Care Center, Melrose Meadows Retirement Center, and Hospice of Iowa City. Their loving care and support enriched her life the past eight years.