Janet Ann (Lehman) Schesser, 86, of rural Horton, Kansas, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024 at the Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, Kansas.

She was born July 11, 1937 at the Horton Hospital. She was the oldest of five children born to Kenneth and Helen (Swendson) Lehman. She grew up on a farm located near Old Huron with 80 acres remaining part of the family farm today.

Jim and Janet were married in 1954 and have five children. Jamie (Susan) Schesser, Marilyn Lindstrom of Horton, Libby (Mark) Henley of Topeka, Patty (Rick) Woodward of Hoyt and Lenora (Kirk) Baggett of Tonganoxie. Janet is survived by her husband, Jim of the home, 5 children, 16 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great-great granddaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, a sister, 2 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Janet attended Pleasant Ridge country school and would later graduate from Atchison County Community High School #377 located in Effingham Ks, as did her mother, siblings and 5 children. Several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren have also attended this school district. Janet participated in many school activities including playing flute in the band and sports. She is said to have been able to easily high jump over the bar she was able to walk, fully upright, under.

After starting her family Janet went on to attend and graduate from Highland Community College and Washburn University, Suma Cum Laude, with a degree in Licensed Clinical Social Work in 1989 at the age of 52. She worked 13 years for the state of Kansas as a LCSW. Prior to this she had been employed at the Horton Garment Factory, Tri County Manor and local restaurants.

Jim and Janet met as members of the Brush Creek 4-H club when she became the club president and Jim took notice of the “really cute girl”! She participated many years in 4-H as a member amassing an impressive collection of awards at county, district and at state levels. Later as an adult with a young active family she served as a 4-H club and project leader. She also served as a local cub scout leader. Janet was an excellent cook and seamstress. In addition to all the wonderful large family meals she prepared, she also taught her children and some grandchildren to cook most recently helping a great grandson perfect his angel food cakes from scratch. She also taught her children and several grandchildren to sew. Homemade hand-me-down clothes were a hit with a certain California niece! Janet had a passion for many handcrafted projects especially quilting and had made it her goal to make a quilt for her children and all their children and on down the line. Sometimes the great grandbabies came so fast she could barely keep up! She also crocheted items and taught at least 2 great grandkids the basics.

A large garden followed by hundreds of jars full of wonderful canned pickles, relishes, and other goodies was also a yearly activity, over a hundred pint jars of tomatoes in 2023. Janet was also handy with a saw and hammer often taking on remodeling projects or refinishing furniture. Other activities Janet enjoyed was cane pole fishing, reading, crossword puzzles, pasture picnics, searching thrift shops and auctions for treasures, playing the piano and attending activities for as many of the younger family members as possible.

After having been attended various local churches, Jim and Janet became members of the Muscotah United Church. Janet was very active within the churches helping with a multitude of activities including teaching Bible school and Sunday school. Add this to the usual farm wife/farm life activities and you know Janet never was one to idly sit around. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the Muscotah United Church where the family will greet friends from 10:00 A.M. until service time.