Jana Lee Meek

Jana Meek, 73, of Rigby, Idaho passed away on the morning of Saturday October 31, 2026, at Teton Healthcare in Idaho Falls after battling kidney cancer.

Jana was born to Dean and Arlene (Gneiting) Hayes on December 17, 1952, in Rigby, ID. She lived on Ramona Avenue, (according to her and others, the best place to grow up as a kid) where she had many friends and family members to play with. While attending Rigby High School, Jana worked at Barber’s Drive-in and learned to make everything the diner served, from scratch. After graduation, Jana attended Excelcis Beauty School in Idaho Falls. After beauty school, she worked and managed at Tres Jolie Beauty Parlor and always told funny stories about situations she would get into while working there.

Throughout her marriage, she moved quite a bit and lived in places such as Virginia, Washington, Idaho, California, and Iowa. She loved everywhere she lived. Jana’s amazing cooking skills served her well as a mother and as an in-home daycare provider while her children were little. After she divorced, she worked for Walmart where Jana was a department manager over Health and Beauty Aids. Jana loved her co-workers and enjoyed her job. She retired from the Ammon Walmart after working there for over 20 years.

Jana was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Early in her adulthood and while she was raising her family, she held many callings including Primary President, Relief Society President, and Cub Scout Leader. She loved working with women and children. Jana loved to tole paint and do handicrafts, but later in life her favorite hobby was tatting.

Jana loved and cared for everyone, regardless of their condition in life. She taught her children at early ages to respect everyone, even if they appeared or acted differently. She could make friends with anyone she met.

She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially during the holidays, when she would often have special treats. She loved joking and kidding around with her children, often emphasizing that she was right with her signature line “yup, yup, yup.” Her kindness, generosity, and presence will be missed dearly by those who loved her.

Jana is survived by her children, Jeremy (Lisa) Meek of Idaho Falls, Kristopher (Donalee) Meek of Idaho Falls, Eric Meek of Idaho Falls, and Sarah (Branden) Vance of Idaho Falls; her siblings Mike (Charissa) Hayes of Bountiful, Utah, Paul Hayes of Idaho Falls, and Nancy (Wynn) Monk of Rigby, She had 7 grandchildren and was awaiting the birth of her first great-grandchild when she passed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Arlene Hayes, her grandparents, and her nephew Kevin Hayes.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Eckersell Funeral Home, 101 West Main Street, Rigby, Idaho, with a visitation prior to the service starting at 5:00 PM.