The New Melle Chamber of Commerce (NMCC) honored long-standing member Janet Karrenbrock for her extensive contributions to both the Chamber and the community. She is among a few who have been recognized for their dedication over the years.
Maureen Blondin, another deserving awardee, volunteered to present Janet with her plaque. Janet was unaware of the honor and was there to attend the Annual NMCC Christmas Party. Her family quietly slipped in to watch Maureen as she delivered her speech.
“I have known this person since 1978. I met her when she was a young bride, having just moved to town and begun rehabbing her husband’s grandfather’s former home. While they were working on the house, they lived in a mobile home in Wright City. Janet worked at GTE Telephone Company during the day and worked on the house in the evenings and on weekends. She stripped every layer of paint and stain from every piece of wood in the house. She had a vision and knew how to make it happen. Along with her husband and his buddies, she completed the house, which became a focal point of our little town.
Once they moved in, she became the talk of the town in many social circles. She had her laundry on the line, the best-looking vegetable garden in town, and dinner in the crock pot, all before she left for work. Who was this woman? Well, this woman was Janet Dockler Karrenbrock. If you know her, you know there is nothing Janet can’t do, step up to do, or handle. A co-worker of hers from the phone company once told me that Janet always knew what to do and did it fast. She thinks fast, walks fast, and gets stuff done.
Janet retired from GTE, which by then was Verizon, to help her family grow and expand their concrete flatwork company into one of the largest trucking, concrete, and excavating companies in the county. She joined the New Melle Chamber of Commerce and became a significant member, contributing her time to the organization and the City of New Melle. She served as the NMCC treasurer for many years. Janet co-founded and co-chaired the New Melle Country Christmas and the New Melle Easter Egg Hunt, held each year, and did everything needed to make the events a success year after year.
She is a current Alderwoman for the City of New Melle, and served on the Road and Street Board.
She volunteered and served as an officer of the New Melle Community Club before it became New Melle Sports and Rec. She served on the Church Council of the former Friedens Peace UCC in New Melle. Her family has been the purveyors of the Methodist Church's cemetery foundation for 40 years.
The family business has always stepped up and contributed when needed. They have donated facility improvements to NMSR and provided skilled labor and equipment after the December 2021 tornado that tore through our community. They are part of the St. Charles County Livestock Association, supporting young farmers and livestock shows, including the St. Charles County Fair. During devastating wildfires in Kansas and Oklahoma, their business offered trucks and trailers to transport locally donated hay bales to farmers in desperate need of feed for their livestock.
Janet loves to travel across the country and witness God's beauty on horseback. She has ridden miles of trails through Missouri, Wyoming, and Canada. You name it, she’s ridden it. Horseback riding is her passion.
Whenever a community need arises, Janet and her family are quick to assess needs and provide resources where possible. We are sincerely appreciative of their generosity and commitment to making this community a better place to live. Janet is brilliant in a humble, matter-of-fact way. A loving mother, a supportive mother-in-law, and the most amazing grandmother. She is a friend to all who know her, and we are incredibly blessed to have her as part of the chamber and community. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome Janet Karrenbrock."
Janet was greeted with a standing ovation and an overwhelming round of applause. She was speechless, to say the least. Janet took a moment to thank everyone, “It has been an honor to serve this community. We live and work in a beautiful town that I couldn’t be prouder to call home, New Melle. Thank you so much for this. I am truly honored by this award.”
Maureen Blondin (L) with good friend and honoree of the evening, Janet Karrenbrock.
Janet accepting her award and flowers from the New Melle Chamber. 
Janet and Roger Karrenbrock and their family.