GETTYSBURG, SD – Janelle Senyak, 81, of Gettysburg, passed away Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 22, 2024, at the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Jeff Adel presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service will be 4:00 p.m. Sunday, April 21, 2024, at the church with visitation one hour prior.
Janelle Elaine Senyak was born July 13, 1942, to Sidney and Nina Wager at their family farm in northwest Potter County. She attended Riverside and Herron Country Schools, and then she attended Gettysburg High School, graduating in 1960. While in school she was active in band, playing the bass drum. Janelle attended Stewart’s Hair Styling School in Aberdeen, SD.
Janelle met the love of her life, Joseph Senyak, in Gettysburg at the Air Force Base. They later married on October 8, 1965, in Gettysburg. To their union, they welcomed their first son, Joseph “Joey” Senyak and their second son, Michael Senyak.
Janelle’s first job as a hair stylist was at Rose’s Beauty Shop in Gettysburg. In 1973, the family moved to Freeman, SD, where she opened her own beauty salon. In 1977 she also started driving the school bus for the Freeman School District and later drove for the Marion School District. In the fall of 1985 Janelle and her family moved back to Gettysburg where she continued driving bus for the Gettysburg School District for several years. She then decided to work at the Akaska Bar and the VFW. In 2003 she took a part-time job at the Burg where she enjoyed greeting and seeing people until she retired in 2017.
Janelle enjoyed driving the school bus, various types of puzzles, talking to everyone and anyone and learning their entire life story. She loved every single moment with Joe including mixed bowling, weekend trips to Deadwood, taking drives around town, catfishing in their younger years, hosting holidays, watching TV, keeping a close eye on their son, Joey, and ending the evening on the porch swing watching cars drive by and the sun setting while listening to her windchimes.
Janelle entered the Avera Oahe Manor at Gettysburg in 2022, where she loved to keep the nurses on their toes. She looked forward to visits from her family and getting the newspaper on Wednesdays. She resided there until her death.
Janelle’s life will be cherished by her children, Joey Senyak and Mike (Jean) Senyak all of Gettysburg; grandchildren: Stetson (Stasha) Senyak of Kasson, MN, Steven Senyak (Ashlee Weber) of Gettysburg, and Sydney Senyak (fiancé Phillip Vetter) of Gettysburg; great grandchildren, Kaimbre Ann and Roman Senyak of Kasson, MN; brother, Lanny (Jayne) Wager of Gettysburg; brother-in-law, Paul (Yvonne) Senyak of Allentown, PA; nieces: Kristi (Chris) Effling of Highmore, Terri (Dewey) Dennis of Coplay, PA, and Sandy (Carl) Raber of Coplay, PA; nephew, Dusty (Aimee) Wager of Gettysburg; and several great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Senyak; parents, Sidney and Nina Wager; sister, Anita (Doug) Maynard; and sister-in-law, Yvonne Senyak.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Janelle’s arrangements.

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