Janet Fay Magnuson
Janet Fay Magnuson April 11, 1936 – October 8, 2015
Janet Fay Magnuson, 79, long time Arthur resident, left this world to reunite with family and friends in the next, on October 8, 2015, at Indian Hills Healthcare Community. Janet was born April 11, 1936 in Arthur, NE, to John A. and Rosella (Mendenhall) Staples. There she grew up, graduating from Arthur County High School in 1955. She attended Colorado State College of Education for one year before going to work for Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. She first worked in Ogallala, then in San Diego, CA. After her return to Nebraska, she started competing in rodeos, barrel racing. It was at one of these rodeos that she met Oran Magnuson. They were married November 11, 1962 in Ogallala. After nearly seven years they settled in Arthur to raise a family. They enjoyed playing cards, horseshoes, and fishing. Their home was the center for many cups of coffee, glasses of iced tea and good times shared with friends and family. Janet always called their home a "summer house" - some are in, some are out, and some are on their way. In 1977 she became very active in promoting industry and tourism in Arthur, garnering numerous awards for her efforts. This was a passion of hers that would eventually lead to a career as Travel Consultant for the State of Nebraska. She was also Oran's extra hired hand, anytime he needed someone on a tractor or on the back of a horse. After Oran's death in 1988, she was employed at McDonalds, Office Service, Inc., as a caretaker for special friend Elijah Peterson, and later for the State of Nebraska. During that time she moved to North Platte where she enjoyed being close to children and grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Oran Magnuson, and brother Don Staples. Survivors include her children; Mari (Monte) Warner of Paxton and Charles (Moraine) Magnuson of North Platte; stepchildren: Kent (Beth) Magnuson of Kearney and Kendra (Larry) Burgess of Ashby. One sister: Nadeane (Gerald) Chandler of Paxton and three brothers: Kenneth (Leila) Staples and Maurice (Gladyth) Staples, all of Ogallala and Jim (Alice) Staples of Englewood, Colo.. Sisters-in-law Jody (Bill) Reutzel of Ogallala and Nita Staples of Bertrand; brother-in-law Don Magnuson of Alliance, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. The family chose cremation. Friends may sign the Register Book on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.in Draucker Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be Friday, Oct. 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the Arthur Baptist Church with Rev. Ben Keene officiating. The Service will be streamed live from drauckerfuneralhome.com, for those unable to attend. Inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials donations are suggested to the Arthur Community Building Fund or Pawsitive Partners of North Platte. Online Condolences may be sent to by clicking on the Guest Book Icon. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to [email protected]. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. Draucker Funeral Home ~ 700 N. Spruce Street ~ Ogallala NE 69153 ~ 308.284.4021
Janet Fay Magnuson, 79, long time Arthur resident, left this world to reunite with family and friends in the next, on October 8, 2015, at Indian Hills Healthcare Community. Janet was born April 11, 1936 in Arthur, NE, to John A. and Rosella (Mendenhall) Staples. There she grew up, graduating from Arthur County High School in 1955. She attended Colorado State College of Education for one year before going to work for Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator. She first worked in Ogallala, then in San Diego, CA. After her return to Nebraska, she started competing in rodeos, barrel racing. It was at one of these rodeos that she met Oran Magnuson. They were married November 11, 1962 in Ogallala. After nearly seven years they settled in Arthur to raise a family. They enjoyed playing cards, horseshoes, and fishing. Their home was the center for many cups of coffee, glasses of iced tea and good times shared with friends and family. Janet always called their home a "summer house" - some are in, some are out, and some are on their way. In 1977 she became very active in promoting industry and tourism in Arthur, garnering numerous awards for her efforts. This was a passion of hers that would eventually lead to a career as Travel Consultant for the State of Nebraska. She was also Oran's extra hired hand, anytime he needed someone on a tractor or on the back of a horse. After Oran's death in 1988, she was employed at McDonalds, Office Service, Inc., as a caretaker for special friend Elijah Peterson, and later for the State of Nebraska. During that time she moved to North Platte where she enjoyed being close to children and grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, husband Oran Magnuson, and brother Don Staples. Survivors include her children; Mari (Monte) Warner of Paxton and Charles (Moraine) Magnuson of North Platte; stepchildren: Kent (Beth) Magnuson of Kearney and Kendra (Larry) Burgess of Ashby. One sister: Nadeane (Gerald) Chandler of Paxton and three brothers: Kenneth (Leila) Staples and Maurice (Gladyth) Staples, all of Ogallala and Jim (Alice) Staples of Englewood, Colo.. Sisters-in-law Jody (Bill) Reutzel of Ogallala and Nita Staples of Bertrand; brother-in-law Don Magnuson of Alliance, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. The family chose cremation. Friends may sign the Register Book on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.in Draucker Funeral Home. The Memorial Service will be Friday, Oct. 16, at 10:30 a.m. in the Arthur Baptist Church with Rev. Ben Keene officiating. The Service will be streamed live from drauckerfuneralhome.com, for those unable to attend. Inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials donations are suggested to the Arthur Community Building Fund or Pawsitive Partners of North Platte. Online Condolences may be sent to by clicking on the Guest Book Icon. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to [email protected]. Draucker Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements. Draucker Funeral Home ~ 700 N. Spruce Street ~ Ogallala NE 69153 ~ 308.284.4021
