Janet Sue Story

Janet Sue Story, 71, Beaufort, passed away Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Hermann Area District Hospital.
She was born on October 17, 1954 in Washington, Missouri to Ruth, nee Honold, and Everett Peters. Janet was raised in the heart of Beaufort, Missouri and was happy to call it her home. Janet met Larry, the man who would later become her husband of almost 50 years in the Beaufort area and after a short courtship, they were married on July 6, 1974. Janet and Larry made their home in Beaufort where they raised their two daughters, Erin and April.
Janet spent most of her life working in and eventually managing Honold Hardware in Beaufort. Working alongside her parents and her husband, over time she became the face of the business. Janet knew everyone's name who came in the store and always took the time to find the exact thing they needed. After the store's closure in 2019, Janet was able to enjoy her retirement with Larry.
Janet enjoyed a good road trip whether it was to Jefferson City for Central Dairy, out on the country backroads of Franklin County on a Sunday afternoon, a trip to Marathon Florida in the Florida Keys, or a two-week long road trip to South Dakota with Larry, she was always ready to go. Janet loved kayaking, floating, and camping with Larry and her grandkids.
Janet was a long-time member of the Beaufort Lion's Club taking after her dad's footsteps helping wherever the help was needed. She was a life-long devoted member of St. John's Beaufort Church where her children, grandchildren, and great-grand-children have also been baptized. If you have ever lived in Beaufort, you have probably had the pleasure of tasting one of her beautifully decorated cakes. Janet took classes on cake-decorating and word spread quick through the community and she was the go-to person!
Janet was blessed with two daughters who she loved with all her heart. She loved them each for who they were and what they brought to the family. She was blessed with four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She always looked forward to spending time with each of them especially on the grandkid's birthdays. She and Larry would let each child pick their birthday trip in lieu of a gift and the gift of time was given. Labor Day weekends were always a treat when the grandkids were younger. They would all camp out in the "park" her house for the weekend, a tradition they all looked forward to.
Janet is survived by her daughters Erin Story, Union, and April (Brian) Lueckenhoff, Gerald; four grandchildren, Alex (Ellie) Baldwin, Hannah Baughman (significant other Tim Korn), Chloe Lueckenhoff, Reid Lueckenhoff; two great-grandchildren Jasper Helming, Braxton Korn; three sisters, Joyce Sligar, Shirley (John) Gault, and Karen Peters; mother-in-law Esther Shaffer, two sisters-in-law, Sue Story and Patty Story, and many friends and relatives.
Janet was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Larry Story; her son in infancy, Reid Story, her parents Everett and Ruth, her father-in-law William Story, two brothers-in-law Chuck Sligar and James Story.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Oltmann Funeral Home in Union, MO. Additional visitation will be held the following morning, Thursday, December 4, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Beaufort, MO. A funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM with Rev. John Schoedel officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Countryside Memorial Gardens in Owensville. Following the burial, a luncheon will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or to St. John's Lutheran Church.
The Story family is served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Union, Missouri.