Kanellis (Cahill), Janniece E.

Janniece E. Kanellis (Cahill), 62, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at her daughter's home after a short battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Janniece is survived by her two basset hounds, Smokey and Bandit; her four children, Bill (Renae) Kanellis of Manchester, Ken (Jeanine) Kanellis of Cedar Rapids, Eugene Kanellis of Cedar Rapids and Ida (Jason) Hangartner of Cedar Rapids; and her 12 grandchildren, all whom she loved dearly, Gage, Kayla and Isabella Kanellis of Manchester, Zachary, Ashley and Nicholas Kanellis of Cedar Rapids, Jennifer and Jessica Kanellis of South Haven, Miss., and Logan, Morgan, Ethan and Lucy Hangartner of Cedar Rapids.

Her loving husband, Andy Kanellis, who preceded Janniece in death, passed away from cancer in 2011.

Janniece was born in Cedar Rapids on Sept. 1, 1951, to Kenneth LaVerne and Ida Hope Cahill (Moniez). On April 27, 1970, she married the love of her life, Andy. In June 1970, they moved to Abilene, Texas while Andy served in the Air Force. After returning to Cedar Rapids in 1974, Janniece was a stay- at-home mom who also provided day care for many other children.

Janniece loved her dogs, Smokey and Bandit. She loved to have them sleep in her bed and have them as constant companions. Janniece loved spending time as a family. Before Andy's death, she thoroughly enjoyed camping at various locations with Andy, Smokey and Bandit. She loved to have her kids and grandkids visit at the campsites, having a cookout and cooking smores around the campfire.

As her husband was an active member in SASS and belonged to The Turkeyfoot Cowboys, Janniece had taken the role of cook for all of the Cowboy Action Shoots. The Cowboys and Cowgirls loved the many meals Janniece prepared for them. This was the last activity Janniece was able to do this past Aug. 3-4, bringing her oxygen along; she was bound and determined to cook for all those she loved. The cowboys all showed her love and support after the passing of her beloved husband, their friend, Triggerlock (Andy's Cowboy alias).

Janniece enjoyed music and she loved Elvis. Janniece loved traveling, she managed a few trips to Graceland and many other trips with Andy cross-country on the train. Recently she had wanted to take one more trip to San Francisco; she talked about it much in her recent hospital stays. She had loved that specific trip many years ago with her husband.

Janniece loved being with her family, she loved picnics and trips to Gays Mills, Wis., to get apples. She especially loved her two dogs and 12 grandkids, she loved her family and friends dearly. She enjoyed conversation with most anyone.

Janniece accepted the Lord as her Savior as a teenager at Calvary Baptist Church. She also loved and trusted in the Lord.

We would like to thank Dr. Paynter and his colleagues, along with a huge thank you for the care provided for our mother by the nurses in the St. Luke's ICU this past five weeks. They are an amazing bunch of nurses who have a heart for their patients.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be left at under “obituaries.”

Published Sept. 15, 2013 in The Gazette