Janene Ann (Straka) Peterson, 78, of O'Neill died on March 1, 2026, after a short, fierce battle with cancer.  A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, March 6, 2026 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill.  Rev. Bernard Starman will officiate.  Burial will follow in the O'Neill Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 pm Thursday, March 5, 2026 at Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill with a 7:00 pm Parish Rosary.  Memorials may be directed to her family for future designation.  Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill.

Janene was born on Feb. 2, 1948, in Atkinson, Nebraska.  She was the middle of three children born to Margaret and Alfred Straka.  She graduated in 1966 from St. Joseph's High School in Atkinson.

She met her husband Steven Peterson at the Crystal Ballroom in Atkinson, leading to a lifetime

of two-stepping together all over Nebraska and other parts of the world - but most often at the Legion Club or their home kitchen.  They were married on April 1, 1967, living in O'Neill and Kearney.  They raised two children, Jackie and Chris, in Chambers, before moving back to O'Neill in 1988.

The family was active in rodeo.  There may have been a time or two when the kids were asked to hide under the bed inside the camper at the rodeo admission gate.  Raising and showing registered Suffolk sheep started as a 4-H project and eventually took the whole family to fairs and shows throughout the Midwest.

After selling the sheep, Janene owned and operated Ashley's Attic, a gift, flower, and wine shop in downtown O'Neill, from 1993 to 2020.  Her favorite time of year was Christmas because she loved decorating both the store and her home for the holidays.  She also enjoyed visiting markets in Kansas City, Denver and elsewhere to select items for the store that would create meaningful memories for her customers.  No detail was too small, in floral arrangements or in gifts she helped customers to select.

Before becoming a business owner, Janene worked at the Holt County Independent from 1988 to 1992.  She also printed and folded the Chambers shopper in the attic of her home.  Early in her career, after high school graduation, she attended beauty school in Omaha.  She worked for several years as a hairstylist and continued to use her skills cutting family members' hair until her diagnosis in November 2025.

Janene was an avid gardener.  On most sunny days from March to October, she could be found in her yard, planting, mowing, or harvesting.  She beautified every inch of the 20-acre property north of O'Neill that was not set aside for the horses.  Ok, maybe she tried to beautify the pasture, too.  She always had a yard project going, sometimes several at a time.  Every year, something had to be changed. Her latest projects were a new barn, a pond fed by a beer keg, and new gates.  In her downtime, she could be found weeding the flower beds.

She also loved to travel.  Her backyard fence featured the names of places she had visited around the world, including the signs of all the breweries she enjoyed while traveling.  From the shores of Alaska to the beaches of Bora Bora, Janene was always on the go.  She enjoyed traveling with Steve, other family members, and friends.  She and Steve celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Ireland.  Her favorite place was always "wherever we're going next".  Her last adventure was in October traveling with Steve to Colorado for the Great American Beerfest.

When Janene wasn't traveling, she could be found at every sporting event featuring her grandkids, who were her pride and joy.  She enjoyed the rodeo, 4th of July parades, and the swimming pool.  In recent years, she had the privilege of keeping two "littles" with her during the day.  Most of that time was spent outside playing games or in the kitchen playing Legos or Playdoh or making her kid-famous mac-n-cheese and chili.  She was the best Grandma, staying in touch with her grandkids through visits, photos, phone calls, and FaceTime.

Janene was the ultimate party planner.  She loved hosting events at "Grammy's House", and the more guests, the merrier.  She also planned the decorations for weddings of her kids, granddaughter, and other relatives.  She also hosted Steve's class reunion brunch for the past several years, and so many dinners for family and friends - far too many to count.  She was always the hostess, believing that good food and good friends made for the best memories.

In her last year of life, Janene gave up her resistance and got a tattoo - surprising her whole family.  She selected a gardening theme, with flowers and the words, "My happy place".

Janene is survived by Steve, her husband of almost 59 years, sister Janette (Ron) Asher, brother Dan (Mary) Straka, daughter Jackie (Troy) Hoffman, all of O'Neill, son Chris (Jana) Petersen of Lafayette, CO, grandkids Ashley (Kayne) Boswell, Shaley Kohl, Riley Haskell, Kasey Hoffman, Whitney Hoffman, Riley Hoffman, Corley Hoffman, Cooper Hoffman, Enki Petersen, Hunter Petersen, Kaden Petersen and Stan Johnson, and great grandkids Westen, Shylin, Braelynn, Quinten, Treyden, Amaya, Rusten, Justin, Jacob, Mary, Sophia, Roman and Christian. Her loved ones also included many lifelong friends.  All of us will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Margaret Straka, her parents-in-law, George and Mildred Peterson, and her son-in-law Troy Print Haskell.