Janet Kekich

Janet Nelson Kekich, 78, passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at Hope Hospice Center in Missoula, Montana. Janet was born on July 21, 1947, in Olympia, Washington to parents Edward and Lois Nelson.

Janet’s father Ed was a meteorologist, and his career moved the family from Olympia to Portland, Oregon where Janet attended grade school. In 6th grade, the family moved to Missoula, Montana where Janet graduated from Missoula County High School in 1965.

During high school, Janet met the love of her life, Brian Kekich. They married in 1966 and daughter Stacey was born in 1967. Janet and Brian attended the University of Montana. Brian was in ROTC and after he graduated, the US Army moved the family to Fort Lee, Virginia. After the Vietnam War ended, Brian was hired by Prudential who moved the family to New Jersey where daughter Amanda was born in 1972. Janet continued her college education, receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from William Patterson University. While the family moved several times for Brian’s career, Janet was a substitute teacher at multiple elementary schools in New Jersey. In 1980 Brian’s career again moved the family, this time to Neenah, Wisconsin where the family stayed until finally moving home to Missoula, Montana in 1984. In Missoula, Janet worked as the R1 Regional Infra Coordinator for the US Forest Service until retiring in 2015.

Janet was an enthusiastic traveler, traveling all over the world with her family. Janet and Brian traveled all over Europe and the United States and to Australia. Janet and Stacey went to China in 2006. Janet also loved downhill skiing and golf and played in the ladies league at the Missoula Country Club for many years. Janet also loved to play bridge and mahjong and enjoyed many wonderful times playing these games.

Most of all Janet was absolutely devoted to her family although her heart was broken when Mandy died in 2001. She was an amazing grandmother to Nate and Tim, always happy to babysit when they were little, drive them to sports and activities and ski with them. Janet will be greatly missed by Brian and her entire family: Daughter Stacey Smith and her husband Mike, both of Missoula, grandsons Nathaniel and Timothy; Sister Carol Gullard (Gary), (Missoula); Brother Roger Nelson (Scottsdale, AZ); Nephew Erik Nelson (Susan) (Spokane, WA) and Niece Elyse Nelson (Scottsdale, AZ). Janet also had many many wonderful friends who were an immense comfort to her as she battled cancer first in 2016, then in 2017 and finally when it returned in 2026. Janet was preceded in death by daughter Mandy, and her parents, Ed and Lois Nelson.

A celebration of Janet’s life will be held Friday, July 24th at 3pm at Garden City Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Amanda Kekich Memorial Children's Fund, 112 Rolling Green Place, Missoula, MT 59803.