Janet Kessler

Celebrating a Life Well-Laughed

Janet Nadine Kessler

June 11, 1942 – January 19, 2026

It is with bittersweet smiles and fond memories that we announce the passing of Janet Kessler on January 19, 2026, at her beloved home in Brighton CO. She was the loving wife to Galen when he was not testing her patience, mother extraordinaire while her children were outside for extended periods of time, legendary grandmother until she was ready to go home, and world-class nurse unless you were her children then walk it off on the way to school. She made it to 83, and if you ask her family, that was almost enough time to keep everyone in line and on the straight and narrow.

Born on June 11, 1942, in Shreve OH, to parents Paul and Emmabelle Acker. Janet arrived in the world already prepared to work hard and make her opinions known. After all, who else could wrangle a room of exuberant siblings named Linda, Elaine, and Max, a dreamer husband, wild children, perfect grandchildren, and still manage to tend to the spiritual needs of her friends and family?

She earned her nursing degree in 1963 from Aultman Hospital School of Nursing, Canton OH and a Bachelor of Science degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver. She spent fifty plus years patching up scrapes, soothing fevers, and expertly dodging patients and projectiles at Denver area hospitals and finally as a school nurse at Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Her legendary bedside manner included both timely doses of sarcasm and warm encouragement, ensuring that her patients always left feeling better and with a list of to-dos.

Janet was predeceased by her beloved husband of 41 years, Galen, with whom she lived for 35 years in the home they built together with their own hands. She was a loving mother to Steven, Stephanie and Todd and a cherished grandmother to seven grandchildren never missing an opportunity to spoil, encourage-or embarrass them. The disciples at the Christian Church of Broomfield became her extended family, after she and Galen undertook a spiritual calling which led them west from Illinois to Colorado in the early 70s.

Being the daughter of farmers, she developed her parents' grit and work ethic, as she experienced how things could always be a bit tougher and you just need to work a little harder. She and her siblings remained friends until death, bonded from their experiences at childhood. Her warmth, assertiveness, logic, and wit were an example for her family and friends. She found joy in reading her bible, walking in the neighborhood, killing her poor houseplants, volunteering for ministries or spiritual causes, and was locally famous for baking deserts from the Acker Family Cookbook, commonly known as the Dessert-book.

She is survived by her three children, children's spouses, three siblings, siblings' spouses, seven loving grandchildren, grandchildren's spouses, and many friends and relatives who will miss her dearly.

A celebration of Janet's life will be held on February 2, 2026, at 11am, Christian Church of Broomfield. Friends and family are invited to share stories and laughter.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Janet's memory to Rapha House International Inc, TRU Community Care, or TCM International Institute.