Kathaleen "Janelle" Hicks Steltzlen was born September 18, 1937, in Atlanta, GA to William and Evelyn Hicks and passed away January 4, 2025, in Owasso, OK.

Janelle was a retired lawyer with many years of experience, having run her private practice in Tulsa, Ok from 1981 to 1997. Before becoming a lawyer, she was a school food services director at Kansas State University and worked as a dietitian in the Turner Unified School District in Kansas. She began her career as a dietetic resident at The University of Oklahoma, where she became a registered dietitian.

Janelle earned her Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University in 1958, followed by a Master of Science from Kansas State University in 1967, and completed her education with a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tulsa in 1981. She was also a licensed real estate broker and has been admitted to practice law in several courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition to her legal work, Janelle was a lecturer at the College of DuPage and Tulsa Community College and served as an active reserve deputy for the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office.

Janelle has served on various boards and committees, including the Sister Cities Tulsa/San Luis Potosi and the Tulsa County Tax Oversight Committee. She was involved with professional organizations related to her fields of expertise, such as the Oklahoma Bar Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Janelle had received multiple accolades, including scholarships and a Gold Medal from the Oklahoma Senior Olympics, and she's been included in several notable editions of Who's Who. She was also a member of Mensa.  Inspired by her ancestry and mentorship, Janelle values her career and family.

Janelle was preceded in death by her parents William & Evelyn Hicks, her brother Victor Hicks and Sister Nadine Crabb. Janelle is survived by her children Gerry & Gayla Steltzlen of Collinsville, OK & Chris & Tracie Steltzlen of Tulsa, OK, 3 Grandchildren Cassie, Morgan and Will, 4 great grandchildren Brayden, Landon, Brooklynn & Baker, her sister n law Judy Hicks, her ex-husband & lifelong friend Jerry Steltzlen along with numerous nephews, nieces and friends.

We would like to take this time to thank the ladies in house 2 and Amedisys Hospice for taking great care of Janelle while she was a resident of Oxford Glen Memory Care.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Janelle's name be made to OU Foundation, the organization where Janelle donated her body.

Mail to:

Willed Body Program

BSEB 138

PO Box 26901

Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901