Janet Marie Hassebrock Sapwell-Pridgen, 77, of Wickenburg, Arizona

Janet Marie Hassebrock Sapwell-Pridgen, 77, passed away on September 10, 2026, surrounded by family after a life devoted to faith, service, and her loved ones. Born October 1, 1948, in Lincoln, Illinois, to Harold and Ruth Hassebrock, she was the second of seven children. She grew up in the very small town of Chestnut, Illinois, later moving to Southern California. She spent her teenage years in Fullerton and graduated from Sunny Hills High School. She then attended cosmetology school and began her career as a hairdresser.

In 1967, she married De Rogers, moved to Mira Loma, California, and became a mother to Michelle and Christy. They relocated to Wickenburg, Arizona, in 1973, a community she proudly called home for five decades.

In 1978, she married Gary "Squeak" Sapwell, gaining her son Gregg. Together they welcomed daughter Amicia, followed by son Axel (AJ). She and Squeak were deeply involved in their children's and grandchildren's lives, spending many hours volunteering in youth soccer, Little League, and at Wickenburg Christian Academy. Janet worked for more than 30 years at Safeway, where she was known and loved by countless members of the community.

Ten years after Gary's passing, Janet found love again with Joseph Pridgen, whom she married in 2015. She was happy to welcome Joseph's children-Matt, Zenus, Chintana, and Celestine-into her family. They moved to Wittmann to be more centrally located for all of the children. Together, Janet and Joseph served the Lord and ministered to the homeless in downtown Phoenix.

Janet's love for God and family were her greatest treasures. She taught Sunday school, served in youth ministry, and later became the secretary at Community Alliance Church. As a testament to her faith, she traveled abroad on two mission trips to the Philippines and opened her home without hesitation to a Muslim foreign exchange student from Tanzania. Joseph and Janet also embarked on a biblical tour of Israel; her most cherished moments were being baptized in the Jordan River and laying hands on the Wailing Wall.

She lived with unwavering devotion, strength, and kindness, always putting others first. Many times she opened her heart and home to struggling young adults, helping them find their way back to God and toward their best life. To Janet, family wasn't defined by relation-she embraced many as her own, and in her eyes, they were all family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Ruth Hassebrock; her brother Harold; her husband Gary "Squeak" Sapwell; and her husband Joseph Pridgen. She is survived by her siblings Judi, David, Robert, Richard, and Jim; her five children Michelle, Gregg, Christy, Amicia, and Axel; her four stepchildren Chintana, Matt, Zenus, and Celestine; 24 grandchildren, and 15 great‑grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 3, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Community Alliance Church.

Janet leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, resilience, and unconditional love.