116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Monday, July 14, 2025
Janet Lee Trotter
Age: 87
City: Cedar Rapids
Funeral Home
Murdoch Funeral and Cremation Services
Monday, July 14, 2025
Janet Lee Trotter
Janet Lee Trotter
Cedar Rapids
Janet Lee Trotter, 87, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away surrounded by her family on Friday. July 11, 2025, at Oldorf Hospice House. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at Westminster Presbyterian Church (1285 3rd Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403).
Janet was born on November 3, 1937, in Marquette, Iowa, to Lyle and Elma (Kujawa) Reetz. She graduated from Charles City High School and spent a year studying at the University of Northern Iowa. On September 6, 1958, she married Harold Dale “Dick” Trotter in Nashua, Iowa. Janet worked for many years as an interior designer at Phelan’s Interiors and Smulekoff’s. She was also a dedicated volunteer at the Jane Boyd Community House and an engaged member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
She had a deep passion for interior design, which naturally evolved into a fulfilling career—she was truly an artist at heart. Traveling with her husband and family brought her great joy. She also played online bridge with people from around the globe and liked to unwind with puzzles in her spare time. A visit to the casino, especially to play the slot machines, was another favorite pastime. But most of all, she cherished the moments spent with her family.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Dick Trotter; daughters, Lori (Dan) Gaab of Galena, Illinois, and Sallie Entwistle of Lone Tree, Colorado; grandchildren, Michael, Daniel, Nicholas, Tiffany, Cameron, and Colton; and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gisselman and the team at Mercy Hospice for their outstanding care of Janet.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church in her honor.
Please share a memory of Janet at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.