Janet Nagel

Janet Karen Nagel, 78, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Sept. 16, 1942, in Cape Girardeau to Wesley and Nada Smith Nagel.

She was raised in one of the first houses built on highway 61, just north of the Cape Girardeau city limits.

Janet was also raised a Lutheran and was a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and graduated high school at Trinity Lutheran School.

Known as Cape's Flower Ladies, Janet and her mother raised three acres of mums, iris, peonies, pansies and Missouri wildflowers of every kind. They also specialized in orchids and cacti. Janet's mother took to flowers in the late 30's and Janet joined in as soon as she could pull a weed or plant a seed.

Janet greatly enjoyed the company of her dear friends, avid gardeners, Charles Pickett and Dave Niswonger. Pickett is the owner of the celebrated Matthews Iris Gardens of Randles, Missouri; and Niswonger of Cape Girardeau who is internationally renowned iris hybridizer. She is also survived by a close friend, Scott Anderson and many other close friends and neighbors.

Her greenhouses started out as one, built in the late 50's, but soon grew to three as was necessary. Yet one of Janet's greatest passions was her family genealogy. Upon her passing, Janet had completed some 60 to 65 impressive volumes of her family history.

Janet now walks with the Lord Jesus in his garden masterpiece ... and it wouldn't be a surprise if she was giving him a few tips on gardening.

A graveside service will be 2 p.m. Friday at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel in Cape Girardeau with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.