Janet (Shunk) Abbott 70, passed away Thursday, October 30th, 2014 at Rapid City Regional Hospital after battling an acute illness. She was attended by her husband, two daughters and son-in-law at the time of her death. Born in Flint Michigan on August 21, 1944 to Fred and Lenora Shunk, she is the middle child of seven, four boys and 3 girls: Fred, John, Joyce, Susan, Jim and Bill. She entered the Army after graduation where she was a nurse aide. She met, married and later divorced Arthur Warren Stancombe. She was blessed with three daughters raising them as a single parent. Originally from Flint she worked in the auto industry until the mid 1970's at which time she moved to Alpena Michigan to be near her parents who had retired to the original family farm in Hubbard Lake, Michigan. She again worked as a nurse aide and attended classes at the local community college. She regularly attended the Church of Christ in Alpena and in 1983 she married the love of her life, Richard F. Abbott. They met at church and have continued to be a faithful religious couple. In their belief in helping others, they legally adopted Janet's nephew, Michael Schmidt shortly after marrying in 1983. Janet and her husband enjoyed travelling and made many friends along the way. Among her favorite memories was a mission trip to Nicaragua they took with the church in Hubbard Lake, MI. It was always their hope to take another trip and they often helped to raise funds for other people to go. In October 2012, they moved to Rapid City South Dakota to be near family in the event of needed help and for better access to medical services. Janet was very active with the senior apartments they live in and regularly called Bingo. She also ran the coffee program in the mornings and helped to decorate the dining area for holidays and events. Richard and Janet currently attend the Crossroads Wesleyan Church on Sheridan Lake Road. It was Janet's wishes to be cremated. Interment will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery with a small private ceremony at graveside with full military honors. She is proceeded in death by her oldest brother, Fred and her parents. Surviving are her husband, Richard Abbott; daughters, Selene (Willard) Radtke of Rawlins WY, Lenora (Darin) Shearer of Rapid City, SD, and Georgina (Shawn) Bruski of Lansing MI; son/nephew Michael (Wendy) Schmidt of Hudson, FL, 12 grandchildren including step grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren with a 9th on the way. She always said that she was an introvert trying to be an extrovert. Many years of shyness were overcome allowing her to make many friends and enjoy an active social life. Janet will be greatly missed by many family and friends. In lieu of flowers, we are establishing a memorial in her honor for a mission trip to Haiti this December. The funds will go to help support an orphanage on a small island off Haiti called LaGonave. The project is called LaGonave Alive and helps the entire island, but mainly the children at the orphanage. Their goal is to fill their food pantry and their water cistern. There will not be a viewing but a memorial service from 4:00pm to 7:00pm with Pastor Dan Menefee, religious service at 5:00pm at the Crossroads Wesleyan Church on Monday, November 3, 2014. There will be a reception to follow from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.