Janice Panek

Janice Rae Panek, 89, of Marion, Iowa, passed away at her residence on July 26, 2026, surrounded by loving family. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Papich-Kuba Funeral Service, 1228 2nd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401. Private family burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery on October 2, 2026, followed by a celebration of life gathering of family and friends.

Janice was born on October 2, 1936, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, daughter to Raymond and Esther (Feiereisen) Gosnell. She graduated from McKinley High School in 1966 and was united in marriage to Wesley Panek on May 23, 1959.

Janice was a member of the Cedar Rapids Moose Girls, the Cedar Rapids Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Linn County Blues Society. She was an active and dedicated chaperone for the Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, where her daughter, Julie, was a member. She took great pride in organizing events and supporting the organization. Janice also played a key role in organizing the 50th class reunion for the McKinley High School alumni.

As a mother, she cherished supporting her children in all they pursued, whether it was watching them play baseball, football, basketball, playing the blues, or marching in band and drum corps. Janice really enjoyed her trips to the casino to play the slots and hit the buffet. She was well known, avid supporter of the local music scene and loved to get her groove on with the bands. She was everyone’s favorite dance partner at the live music clubs and she will be missed by many of her fellow music lovers.

Janice is survived by her children, Julie Johnston, Tom Panek, Steve Panek, and Matt Panek; grandchildren, Chelsea (Danny) Shaw, Cody (Heather) Panek, Kiersten (Thomas) Hossler, Ryan Johnston, Kally Panek, Kenzie (Dylan) Spoon, Lila Panek, Jake Panek, Dallas Panek, and Ian Panek; and great-grandchildren, Cameron, Brooklyn, Cameron, Landon, Savannah, Avonlee, Carson, Kennedy and Ethan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wes Panek; parents; and brother, Bruce Gosnell.