A graveside service for Janell will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 11, 2022 at the Grassy Butte Seventh Day Adventist Cemetery with Pastor David Moench officiating.
Janell Katherine Mackie Tachenko was born to Eino and Fern (McCombs) Mackie on January 18, 1949. She grew up in Lead, SD with her five siblings.
She attended Lead High School (1962-67) where she was active in choir, drama, and Home Ec. Her creative talents landed her a spot as leading lady “Fiona” in the musical Brigadoon.
After graduating high school, Janell lived with her brother David while attending Eastern Oregon University. The next year she transferred to Union College in Lincoln, NE. It was there that she became acquainted with a tall, handsome cowboy from North Dakota. After many dates and lots of laughter, Cody Tachenko asked Janell to marry him while milking a cow on his parents’ ranch. They were married July 19, 1970 in Spearfish, SD and settled on the M Lazy T ranch near Grassy Butte, ND. There they raised three children: Angi, Bryan and Mindy.
Never in her wildest dreams did Janell think she would marry a cowboy and live on the prairies of North Dakota. Being a city girl, ranch life was a major learning curve, but she embraced all of its joys and challenges gracefully. During the summer, she spent many hours planting and growing enough produce to freeze, can and share. Her talent for tending and arranging beautiful flowers was appreciated by many. Her flower beds and pots always showcased vibrant colors and brought joy to anyone who stopped by. She helped Cody with the cows, haying or whatever task needed an extra hand. The winter months found her painting in her studio. All of her children, grandchildren and many loved ones were recipients of her artwork. From a young age, Janell enjoyed sewing and made many of her own clothes, as well as many home decorating projects.
Janell loved to visit and connect with people and was most often the instigator of many gatherings and parties. Her warm home welcomed many overnight travelers with a cozy bed and a hot meal. She was always up for a game night complete with popcorn and smoothies or hot dogs and s’mores around a campfire. Holidays always felt extra special with her attention to detail and hospitality.
When asked what mattered most in life to her, she replied: “1. My relationship with my Savior and Lord. He is our perfect example of total trust and faith in His heavenly Father and His promises. 2. My relationship with my dear hubby. 3. My relationship with my children. 4. The salvation of my immediate family – meaning my children, their spouses and my grandchildren. 5. To reflect Jesus to those I came into contact with – whether they are related, friends, acquaintances or strangers.” Anyone who associated with her knew that this was the code she lived by. Her personal ministry was in serving both family and the community.
Janell Tachenko, 73, Grassy Butte, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2022 at home with family by her side.
Janell is survived by: husband – Cody Tachenko; children – daughter Angi (Keith) Howe: Thomas (fiancé Donovan), Sierra (fiancé Alex) and Christopher Kennedy; son, Bryan (Julie) Tachenko: Kyle and Caleb; and daughter, Mindy (Esley) Henderson: Taten and Rahnie.
Siblings: Dianna Brisco, David (Ginger) Mackie, Jerry (Judy) Mackie, Bert (Judy) Mackie, Bonny (Frank) Schmid.
She was preceded in death by her parents: Eino and Fern Mackie.
