(From Derfelt Funeral Home)
Janice Ann Bennett passed away peacefully in her home in Baxter Springs, Kansas, on Tuesday, January 21, 2020. She was 82 years old.
Janice was born on October 19, 1937, in rural Miami, Oklahoma, to Bernie and Geraldine Alsbaugh. As a child, she was known for her excellent grades, beautiful penmanship, perfect attendance at school, and a sense of hard work.
While studying Business Education and English at Pittsburg State University, Janice met Irvin Gene Bennett. They were classmates, attended church together, and were members of a Christian campus organization. The two shared an appreciation for Southern Gospel music, a passion for Christ, and eventually a love for each other. Gene was in the Naval Reserve. The way Janice tells the story, Gene suggested, "I'm going to have to go to the Navy soon, and I think you should go with me." Janice asked, "Are you asking me to marry you?" "I guess so," Gene answered.
Janice and Gene were married on May 30, 1965, in Miami, Oklahoma, at the home of Janice's parents. They began their life together at Quonset Point Naval Air Station in Rhode Island.
The night Janice arrived at Quonset Point, Gene drove her down to the pier. They parked the car, and Janice inquired, "Where's the ship?" Gene pointed and answered, "You're looking at it." "Oh, my word," Janice marveled. "I thought that was a huge building!"
When Gene's time in the Navy ended, the two took several weeks to attend the World's Fair in Montreal, drive across Canada, and explore the state of Washington where Gene was born. For the next 54 years, they put countless miles on various vehicles and managed to visit all but three of the fifty states.
Gene and Janice welcomed their daughter, Kerri, in 1970. Four years later, they also welcomed their son, Kevyn, in 1974. The couple raised their family in Baxter Springs, Kansas, where they resided for 25 years. They later bought their dream property in Riverton, Kansas, on the banks of Spring River, where they lived for 21 years.
Ask any of the residents living along SE Eagle Lane, and they'll tell you, "Gene and Janice Bennett are the best neighbors we've ever had." This is due in part to Janice's fierce loyalty as a friend. She offered everyone she met encouragement, words of wisdom, instruction and advice, a pat on the back, and prayer and intercession on their behalf.
Janice enjoyed a long career in business administration. Much of her career was spent working for the Wyandotte Indian Tribe, the Ottawa Indian Tribe, and several North Eastern Oklahoma Inter-Tribal agencies. Janice was proud of her Native American ancestry.
Within five minutes of meeting her, she would tell you, "I'm a direct descendant of Chief Little Turtle. Are you familiar with Chief Little Turtle? No? Well, let me tell you about him." Janice also owned and operated several businesses. In Baxter Springs, she owned Baxter Fabric on the corner of Military and 13th Street from 1972 – 1976. She finished her career working for the Baxter Springs Chamber of Commerce and the Baxter Springs United Fund.
Janice's retirement years were spent as a loving grandmother to her six grandchildren. Her grandchildren share fond memories of fishing on Spring River, shooting Grandpa's potato gun, sewing lessons, cooking lessons, and trips to see Big Brutus. When she wasn't entertaining grandkids or traveling with Gene, Janice was quilting. She was an active member of the Town and Country Quilters' Guild, where she served one year as treasurer. Janice earned several awards for her beautiful creations, and her quilts will be treasured by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for generations to come. She leaves behind so much fabric, patterns, thread, and notions that one has to wonder if she was planning to re-open Baxter Fabric.
A sharp wit was one of Janice's best-known characteristics. Upon leaving the house, she was known to say, "Ok, we're out of here like a herd of turtles." If you were unwilling to take care of your health, she'd say, "You've got one foot in the grave and the other foot on a banana peel." If you were full of yourself, she might tell you, "You think you're the biggest duck in the puddle." And if a storm rolled in, she'd say, "This is going to be a real toad strangler."
Ask Dan Jensen about his mother-in-law, and he'll tell you, "Janice Bennett is a good ole gal." And that's the truth. She was a good mama, a good grandma, and a good friend; she leaves behind a precious and priceless legacy.
Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Bernie and Geraldine Alsbaugh, her brother, Leotus Alsbaugh, and her grandson, Alexander Jensen.
Janice is survived by her husband, Gene Bennett; daughter, Kerri Jensen, and son, Kevyn Bennett; grandchildren, Elizabeth Jensen, Sasha Jensen, Jack Bennett, Sophia Bennett, and Reese Bennett. She is also survived by a sister, Bernadine Kelly, and a brother, Alan Alsbaugh.
Visitation will be held at Harvest Time Ministries House of Prayer, 6090 SE Hwy Alt 69, Riverton, Kansas, on Monday, January 27, 2020, at 1:00 pm. A service to celebrate Janice's life will follow at 2:00 pm at House of Prayer, followed by a graveside service at Greenlawn Cemetery in rural Columbus, Kansas. Arrangement’s are under the direction of Derfelt’s Baxter Chapel.
In place of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a memorial donation to the House of Prayer School Lunch Fund, PO Box 205, Riverton, Kansas. Many Cherokee County students go hungry each day because their families cannot afford school lunches. Yet, they do not qualify for free lunches. The House of Prayer School Lunch Fund seeks to help students who fall through the cracks. This would be near and dear to Janice's heart.
Online condolences are welcome at www.derfeltfuneralhomes.com.
