Janine Taylor, age 94, of Huron, passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026 at Huron Regional Medical Center in Huron peacefully with family by her side. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish with burial to follow at St. Martin Cemetery in Huron. Visitation, with her family present, will be from 5-7 p.m., on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Welter Funeral Home. A Scripture and Rosary service will begin at 6:30 on Tuesday evening at the funeral home. 

Janine was born October 3, 1931, in Colome, SD, to Margaret and Gust Johnson. She was the second youngest of six children, which included her brothers Gussie, Bob, Myles and Pat, as well as her twin sister Janice. Janine was baptized into the Roman Catholic faith at St. Isidore’s Church in Colome.

She graduated from Colome High School in 1949 and later went to work at the Citizens Bank in town. Janine moved to Huron in 1952 with her sister Janice. The two of them took positions at separate banks. Janine later became secretary to the athletic director of the Huron Public Schools.

In 1955, Janine moved back to Colome to take a new job at Citizens Bank. She soon met Bob Taylor, a student at the University of South Dakota. The two started dating and were married June 5, 1956, at St. Isidore’s in Colome. They had four children.

After living in Lemmon, SD, for several years, the family moved to Huron in 1965 when Bob accepted an administrative role with the school district. Janine was an active member of St. Martin’s and Holy Trinity Catholic parishes, and she spent her children’s early school years at home. When her children were older, Janine became the librarian at Madison Elementary School, a position she held for many years. She and Bob also operated concession stands at the South Dakota State Fair for two decades. Janine always praised their employees as “exceptional” and many returned year after year to work for them.

Janine loved the Huron community and was involved in many organizations, including St. Martin’s Altar Society, the League of Women Voters, PEO, various bridge clubs, and the state’s Democratic Party. She was also a first aid instructor in the Civil Air Patrol. Janine and some of her closest friends also had a “birthday club,” which met several times a year. Janine and Bob enjoyed supporting their children’s activities and traveled extensively throughout the United States. When their grandchildren were born, they visited them often and attended many of their plays, sporting events and band concerts.

Perhaps most notable, however, was Janine’s deep devotion to her Catholic faith, family, and friends. Janine was known for her hospitality, and it was not uncommon to have a house full of visitors throughout the years. Janine is survived by her children: Anne (Charlie Henderson) of Kyle, TX, Mary (Rich) Palmer of Willmar, MN, Jean (Troy) Smith of Sparta, NJ, and John (Jill) Taylor of Huron, SD; grandchildren, Taylor Smith of Minneapolis, MN, Paul (Hailey) Smith of Maplewood, NJ, Daniel Smith of Chicago, IL, and Paige Smith of Chicago, IL; great-granddaughter Maddie Smith of Maplewood, NJ.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; her parents Margaret and Gust; her brothers Gussie, Bob, Myles and Pat; sister Janice Keller: sisters-in-law Patricia Johnson, Skip Johnson, Jeanne Johnson, Mary Lee Johnson, Marge Thomson, Norma Peters, Jean Nelson, and Maggie Nelson; brothers-in-law Jim Keller, Junior Thomson, Paul Peters, and Carney Nelson.

Remembered as a devoted Catholic and loving wife and mother, Janine will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.