Janice Kay Booth

Janice Kay Booth, age 80, of Gardner, Kansas passed away at her home, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, August 6, 2020.

Janice Kay Klimek was the first of four daughters born to Lawrence “Blackie” L. and Doris L. (Burt) Klimek. Janice was born on February 8, 1940 approximately 2 miles west of Moran, Kansas. She attended Montvale School from 1st through 3rd grade and then in 1947 her family moved to Moran, Kansas where they lived on the corner of North Spruce Street and East Franklin Street for many years. She completed grade school in Moran and graduated from Marmaton Valley High School in 1957, where she was the football homecoming queen her junior and senior years.

On July 3, 1958, Janice married Darrel W. Booth, who she had known since she was 10 years old. Their union was blessed with three children, Tanya, and twin sons Darren and Darwin.

Her first job at a very early age was an usher at the Moran Miner Theater. As a teenager, she would get out of school and work as a telephone operator. At the time she was married, she worked at Durite Lawn Mowers in Iola, KS. Later she worked as a bookkeeper in the Accounting firm of Cartwright, Clark, and Routh and was involved in the setup of the first financial books for a new company in 1958 called Pizza Hut.

In 1963 Janice went to San Antonio, Texas to be with Darrel as he was drafted into the Army and stationed at Fort Sam Houston. During this time period, she gave birth to her first child. In February 1964 Darrel was ordered to serve in the 82nd Field Surgical Hospital as a medic, stationed in Wurzburg, Germany. In February 1965 they returned home from Germany and began farming in the Kincaid/Lone Elm area in Anderson County. In April 1967, Janice gave birth to twin boys and basically was a housewife executive until 1980 as she decided to take a job outside the home with United Telephone Company in Garnett, Kansas.

In 1989 they left the farming life and moved to Gardner, Kansas. Janice started a new position within United Telephone Company in Gardner while Darrel took a position in the same complex working for a subsidiary company called W.R.D.C. Later, due to an acquisition, Janice and Darrel ended up working for Sprint. Janice retired in 2002 after 22 years of service in the telecommunications industry.

During her life’s journey she was loved by all that crossed her path. Janice and the love-of-her- life were inseparable. They experienced life literally together and have been a happily married couple for over 62 years even though Janice thought Darrel was a dork when she first met him as a kid. She brought a smile to all and had a laugh that lightened up the whole room. Janice loved to travel, camp, dance, watch her kids and grandkids play sports, especially football. She rarely missed a game. Another favorite of her was fishing. She would go all out when there was fish on the line. She would even take it to the extreme and jump into the water and throw fish up on the bank after the line busted. (This incident was even done with an injured back!)

Janice was also known for her ability to cook. She never let her family go hungry. No matter what time we came home at night, there was always something fixed and ready to serve. When it came to football games she had her cowbell ringing and one Friday night she nearly out ran one of her sons to the endzone. She would tell you that some of the best years of her life were going to the games.

Janice always took pride in having a clean house. She taught her kids at a very early age to make their beds first thing every morning which still commences to this day. Her Mother-in-Law, Viola Booth, used to say she could tour the President of the US through Janice’s home anytime because she kept it so impeccable.

There are so many great memories of Janice as she just wanted to have fun amongst family and friends. She wore the titles of wife and Nana in a profound and exemplary way. Janice was a great example to her family and friends even till the end of her mortal sojourn here on earth. We know that Janice has gone to a place with much greener pastures where she can rest from the mortal cares of this life. She will be missed by all.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, and two sisters, Judy S. Thompson and Joy L. Klimek.

She will be missed by her husband, Darrel of the home; daughter, Tanya K. McGie, husband, Steve of Kansas City, Kansas, sons, Darren Booth, wife, Dana of Haysville, KS, and Darwin Booth, wife, Marci of Wichita, Kansas; six grandchildren, Stephanie McGie, Thomas Booth, Haley Booth, husband, Calvin, Tilghman Booth, wife, Maira, Trey Creitz, wife, Ashlyn, Haley Frazell, husband, Connor; four great grandchildren; and her sister, Janet L. Adams.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel, 1883 US Hwy 54 in Iola, Kansas, with burial following in the Lone Elm Cemetery, Lone Elm. The family will greet friends on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at The Venue, 1883 US Hwy 54, Iola.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriner’s Hospital; for Children or to W.I.N.G.S.

You may send your condolences to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .