Janelle Stelk

Janelle Rogene Ackerman Stelk, 71, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in her childhood home near Phillips, surrounded by family and friends, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.All Faiths Funeral Home in Grand Island will host visitation on Thursday January 22, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., and a Celebration of Life on Friday, January 23, at 10:00 a.m. Wearing purple is appreciated. A reception will follow at Phillips Community Hall. Burial will be held in the spring on April 24th at 2 p.m. at the Phillips Cemetery.  GIAllFaiths.com for full obituary and live-stream of service.Born February 2, 1954, in Aurora to Karl and Elenora (Griess) Ackerman, she attended school in Phillips, Doniphan, and Aurora, graduated from Aurora High in 1972.She was employed in the agriculture industry, starting with Stauffer Hybrids working in corn research, then NC+ working in sorghum research for 20 years, and Aurora Co-op in fertilizer for 13 years.In 1972, Janelle married Roderick (Rod) DeMaranville of Aurora. To that union their son, Traver DeMaranville, was born. Although later divorced, Janelle and her family remained good friends with Rod until his death in 2017.On August 31,1984 Janelle married Dennis Stelk of Grand Island and together they built a life at her original childhood home, which she named Hilltop Mini Ranch.She had a love for horses throughout her entire life, and raised, trained, and showed Appaloosa horses starting in the 1970’s. Janelle won many state and national competitions. She also enjoyed trail riding with friends. Janelle organized horse shows, including events at the Nebraska State Fair.Janelle liked to teach, and was a 4-H Leader for 30 years. Janelle and Dennis established Nebraska Equine Assisted Therapy (NEAT) and provided horses for riding sessions for children and adults with special needs for 15 years.Janelle is survived by her husband, Dennis Stelk of Phillips; her son, Traver DeMaranville (Beth Wood) of Doniphan; her sister, Karen (Duane) Gruener of Phillips; her sister-in-law, Darlene Ackerman of Hastings; her step-daughters, Bobbi Jo (Darren) Parlin of Wood River, and Jennifer (Chad) Fischer of Grand Island; her grandchildren, Haley Jo Parlin Mazour (Jimmy) of Lawrence, Abby Parlin of Wood River, Faith Parlin of Fairmont, Lucas Fischer of  Lincoln, and Landon Fischer of Lincoln; her great-grandson Sullivan Mazour of Lawrence; her nephew, nieces, cousins, and many dear friends.Janelle was preceded in death by her parents; infant sister Colleen Ann Ackerman; brother Arlen Dean Ackerman; and brother Allan “Butch” Karl Ackerman, sister-in-law Joann Ackerman; and nephew Michael Eugene Gruener.