1953-2025
Janelle Ruth Butner Wemple passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 9, 2025 at Renown Medical Center with her husband Bill and her sister-in-law Glenda Azevedo by her side. Janelle loved helping people. If you needed help planning a wedding, fundraiser, or birthday party, Janelle would be the person to call. She loved to laugh and had a wonderful sense of humor (and a way with words). She had an impeccable taste for clothing and loved collecting shoes – “Things must match.” Most importantly, Janelle looked for the positive in every situation and did not like to dwell on the negative.
Janelle was born in Susanville on January 13, 1953 to Earl Manuel Butner and Ruth Proffitt Butner. Her sister Edna Ann was already married and out of the house when Janelle was born but her brother Marshall was there to welcome her home. When she was a couple years old, her grandmother, Edna Proffitt moved in with the family. Tragically, while Janelle was in high school, Edna Ann was killed in a plane crash. Janelle helped her parents care for and raise her niece and nephew. Being surrounded by adults and older siblings, and the early death of Enda Ann meant that Janelle had to grow up quickly. In high school, Janelle started working for Ray and Darlene Ellena at the Frontier Inn.
Janelle’s family home was the gathering spot for family. Her parents moved to the area from Oklahoma to find work in the lumber mill in Westwood and shortly after moved to Susanville. People helping people, sharing food and resources, relying on each other to get through tough times was what Janelle was born into and these lessons impacted her throughout her lifetime. She described her childhood as always being surrounded by family. Her family embraced and welcomed all, so helping family and friends was her driving force. You did not have to be a blood relative for Janelle to consider you part of her family.
Janelle and her husband Bill met each other in high school. Janelle went off to college and Bill started his business and focused on establishing himself and building his clientele. During college breaks and on weekends, Janelle came home to visit family and friends. During Janelle’s visits, she and Bill would find themselves attending Fred and Ronda Mallery’s gatherings. Over time, the two built a great friendship that grew into more. Finally, on June 28, 1986, Bill and Janelle got married. The two loved working together in their yard and garden and Janelle loved getting her hands dirty. They loved entertaining their friends and family at their home. They loved their weekend adventures and being weekend tourists. Most of all, Janelle loved the quiet solitude of her backyard where you would find her reading a book and enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
She attended the local elementary schools and graduated from Lassen High School in 1971. She attended and received her Associate’s Degree from Lassen Community College and then transferred to Sacramento State where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree. Janelle returned to the Susanville area upon graduation and did her student teaching at Janesville Elementary School. She was then hired at Richmond Elementary School where she taught for about fifteen years and then became the administrator. Due to her mom’s failing health, Janelle made a choice to leave her administrative position to take care of her mother. During this same time, she started teaching at Shaffer Elementary school. After almost forty years of teaching, she retired from Shaffer in June 2014. Unlike most retirees, Janelle did not start traveling or pick up a hobby. Instead, she continued to be involved in education by volunteering in numerous classrooms and being a substitute teacher until 2024. Her favorite subject to teach was Language Arts but taught every grade level (K-8) and every subject. If asked, Janelle would tell you the only difference between a kindergartener and an eighth grader was the size of their shoes. Janelle loved teaching and loved her kids!
Janelle and Bill were raised in different Christian faiths. After being married for a couple years, Janelle wanted the two of them to fill the religious void in their lives together. They decided to attend the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. Later, they started attending services at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. They were confirmed in 2002. Both have since become devout parishioners. Janelle helped with Caring and Sharing and was a member on the Sacred Heart Parish Council.
Janelle was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, her brother, her nephew Miren, and niece Julie. She is survived by her husband of thirty-nine years, Bill Wemple, her dog Kirby, her cat Jackson, numerous nieces and nephews, close cousins, and good friends.
The Rosary will be held on Friday, November 21st at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, November 22nd with a reception immediately following in the Msgr. Moran Parish Hall. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity.
