Janelle Votroubek McClain

Profile Updated: February 4, 2024
Janelle Votroubek
Residing In Cedar Rapids, IA USA
Spouse/Partner George McClain
Occupation Art Consultant
Children Yara, born 1977; Logan, born 1979; Quinton, born 1981
Yes! Attending Reunion
Comments

Attended Iowa State U. Married after graduation and moved to Alaska following a request to work for George's uncle, Uncle Sam. Fell into a wonderful job as illustrator for the Department of Interior, BLM. Left Alaska in 1975, heading somewhere to the Lower 48 and landed in Iowa. Opened CornerHouse Gallery in 1976 and sold it in 2007. Continue as an art consultant, companion to George, grandmother Nella, friend and struggling artist.

Janelle's Latest Interactions

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Janelle Votroubek McClain added a comment on her Profile.
Apr
14
Apr 14, 2024 at 11:56 AM
PAUL HAGLUND posted a message on Janelle Votroubek's Profile. New comment added.
Mar
13
Mar 13, 2024 at 1:02 PM

Posted on: Mar 12, 2024 at 2:20 PM

Happy birthday, Janelle! I still have the gazebo ashes in memory of you and Clay. Wondering about the most apt spot to scatter them someday. Perhaps by the bell tower? Hope all is will with you and family. Hi to George.

Mar
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Mar 12, 2024 at 4:33 AM
Feb
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Feb 04, 2024 at 2:21 PM

Nice to see your work, Lach. Rather Fauve. Powerful! Thanks for sharing. Franklin turns 100 this year. They want artwork from past students. Donation time?

Janelle Votroubek McClain has left an In Memory comment for her Profile.
Jun
26
Jun 26, 2023 at 12:31 PM

Oh so sorry to read of Ann's death.  She was a remarkable force with all the planning we went through for our reunions and the gatherings in between.  I too only knew of her in the 60's but didn't actually know her.  I am glad I had the chance to change that over these past few years.  Oh these poignant times....

Mar 13, 2023 at 6:50 PM

Best wishes for today and or the year ahead, Janelle. Sorry we missed you this summer.

Janelle Votroubek McClain has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar 13, 2023 at 11:32 AM

Posted on: Mar 12, 2023 at 4:33 AM

Aug 20, 2022 at 1:08 PM
Mar 12, 2022 at 5:03 PM

The scenery is beautiful. Wish you were here. Birthday wishes from the Alps (of Utah). Sally and I look forward to seeing you this summer. Say hi to George. I've been frequenting his cousins' Wasatch Touring shop.

Janelle Votroubek McClain has a birthday today. New comment added.
Mar 12, 2022 at 12:33 PM

Posted on: Mar 12, 2022 at 4:33 AM

PAUL HAGLUND posted a message on Janelle Votroubek's Profile. New comment added.
Mar 15, 2021 at 11:56 AM

Posted on: Mar 14, 2021 at 2:02 PM

Holy gazebo dust, Batman. I was asleep at the switch! Belated birthday greetings to you. And best wishes for a great year.

Mar 12, 2021 at 4:33 AM
Janelle Votroubek McClain has left an In Memory comment for her Profile.
Sep 08, 2020 at 12:13 PM

Dennis was a friend, a long time friend....we met at Franklin in seventh grade.  We were art buddies from then on.  It started in Mrs. Souder's art class and continued until he died just a few short days ago.  I believe Dennis to have been a genius.  He was brilliant in so many ways.  And he was a talented artist and knew and studied with so many artists that were to become internationally recognized.  He intrinsically knew quality, whether in period furnishings, historic details, current affairs, art research or the latest environmentally strong architectural innovations.  Sometimes quality was his downfall.  He simply could not compromise or accept anything but the best.

Until he moved to Denver about 2013, Dennis lived in a small house near us for four years and we were the benefactors of his residency.  We loved his conversations and observations.  While there he was an avid observer of wildlife, reporting first hand viewings of coyote and bird activities.  One day he told me he had decided to list all the books he had ever read along with authors....over 500 resulted.  As we worked on building a new house, Dennis documented the construction for us when we couldn't be there in person.  There was no one more thorough.

I had many phone conversations with Dennis over the years and most recently when he told me of his diagnosis of prostate cancer.  He was once again very organized and resolved to the fact that he was to die soon.  He was so grateful to his hospice caregivers and so excited to have the new large screen TV installed since all his possessions were in storage awaiting the sale of his condo and his pending move to a new home.  I asked if there was anything he craved or I could do and he said he was craving Quaker puffed rice, no sugar, if I could send it.....and I found the closest thing still being made and sent it.  He said it was absolutely delicious.

We visited the night before he died and he sounded so pleased with remininscing about our times together over the years and the few special friends he had.  He loved Cedar Rapids and I decided not to tell him about the Derecho and to let the memories of our tree lined city remain his parting memory. 

He wrote his own obituary and as soon as the attorney sends it to me, I will post it. 

Goodbye dear Dennis.

Aug 22, 2020 at 11:50 AM
Mar 12, 2020 at 4:36 AM
Janelle Votroubek McClain added a comment on her Profile.
Oct 15, 2019 at 11:53 AM
Mar 12, 2019 at 12:17 PM

Have a great day, Janelle! Birthday greetings from Sally and me. Just a few days till spring and eastern Iowa will start greening up you'll have those beautiful vistas. We miss them here in the flatlands. Come see us sometime soon to see Sally's studio/gallery and our little art museum downtown.

Mar 12, 2019 at 4:33 AM
PAUL HAGLUND posted a message on Janelle Votroubek's Profile. New comment added.
Mar 14, 2018 at 2:48 PM

Posted on: Mar 13, 2018 at 5:17 PM

Janelle, I'm a day late but send belated birthday greetings from Sally and me. I'm planning to be in CR March 20 and will attend the "Senior Mixer." Hope to see you there.

Mar 12, 2018 at 4:34 AM




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