Janice Kay Parker

Janice Kay Parker, 78 years of age, died on Friday, January 20, 2023, at The Cedars in McPherson, Kansas. 

Janice was born to Albert Hugh and Louise Elaine (Smitherman) Greiner on February 19, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas.  She was married to William Parker in Haviland, Kansas on August 28, 1965. 

Janice is survived by her husband William of McPherson; daughters, Jennifer Broadfoot (Doug) of Hesston and Ami Schrader (Matt) of McPherson; sisters, Judy Allen of Grinnell, Dianne Unruh (Jeryl) of Greensburg; brother, Alan Greiner (Penny) of Kingman; grandchildren, Parker Broadfoot, Amelia Broadfoot, Keller Broadfoot (Madison), and Nolan Schrader; nieces,  Myrna Craig, Trista Noelle Richards, Mindy Spraul (Ryan), Traci Schrader Lang (Chad), and Sarah Unruh; nephews, Troy Tuttle (Melanie), Craig Tuttle, Derek Tuttle (Jodi), Jason Unruh (Jennie), and Heath Greiner (Katy).

She was preceded in death by parents, Albert in 2002 and Louise in 2011, and grandson, Jackson Schrader in 2021.

Growing up in Haviland learning farming, to tend sheep and harvest wheat, making sure there was time for her piano, Janice graduated from Haviland  High School in 1962.  She never forgot her roots on the farm, particularly her cooking and bread making skills she learned from her mom.  She graduated from the University of Kansas in 1966 majoring in music and piano. She later on in her career completed a master’s degree from Southwestern College at Winfield.  Around age fifty, Janice decided she wanted to teach Spanish full time so she studied Spanish through a Graduate Studies Program at Wichita State University studying three summers in Pueblo, Mexico.

Janice taught in several school districts including Dover High School/Eskridge, Hays, Douglass, Inman, and McPherson.  For six years, she taught Spanish at Buhler High School.  During that time, she was fortunate to travel to several foreign countries with students including Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, France, and Northern Africa.  She loved to travel, and she and Bill traveled to many foreign countries without students. Janice finished her teaching career teaching Spanish at McPherson High School.

Janice was an active member of the First Baptist Church of McPherson and the Shalom Sunday School Class for many years.  She enjoyed sharing her musical talents by singing in the church choir and various musical events in the McPherson community.

Family was most important in Janice’s life. They came first. 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Stockham Family Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, January 27, at the First Baptist Church with Rev. John Pattison officiating.  To view a live stream broadcast of the service, please click on the following link: https://fb.me/e/324E8A2VY?mibextid=Z0UBBX

Memorial donations may be given to The Cedars Resident Assistance Fund, First Baptist Church Shalom Class, or McPherson Area Habitat for Humanity in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.