Dana S. Jannotta

Dana S. Jannotta, age 46, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, formerly of Bartlett, IL passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Dana was a vibrant soul whose boundless creativity and love for life touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.

A devoted and cherished wife, Dana leaves behind her beloved husband of 20 years, Mike Gerlach. She was the loving daughter of Susan (Robert) Smigiel and the adored bonus mom of Morgan and Blake. Dana will be dearly missed by her siblings, Devin (Jamie) Jannotta and Robbie (Brittany Stejskal) Smigiel, cherished aunt to Keagan, Declan, Noah, Kinlee, and Melody, as well as her sister-in-law Jen (Bob) Widlowski and brother-in-law Steve Gerlach. She was preceded in death by her father, Eugene Jannotta.

Dana was a talented beautician, known for her keen eye for aesthetics and her ability to make her clients feel beautiful inside and out. Beyond her professional life, Dana was a true artist. Her love for flowers and her remarkable vegetable garden bore testament to her green thumb and her appreciation for nature's beauty. She found joy in crafting, painting, and had a particular fondness for building with Legos.

An ardent animal lover, Dana's home was shared with her loyal canine companion, Patience, and she was a steadfast advocate for animal welfare. Her generous spirit extended to all living creatures, and her love for dogs was particularly profound.

Family, friends, and those whose lives Dana touched are invited to pay their respects during a visitation at Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory in Bartlett, Illinois, on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Anderson Humane, 1000 S. La Fox Street, South Elgin, IL 60177, or to the Trio Animal Foundation, 516 North Ogden Ave. Suite 199, Chicago, IL 60642, honoring Dana's enduring passion for animal care and protection.

Dana’s presence will be dearly missed, but her spirit will live on in the creativity, beauty, and love she shared with the world.