Janice Elaine Johansen died peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the age of 90 at Country Living in Larned, Kansas.
She was born September 5, 1934, in Elgin, Iowa, to Oliver and Reva (Swenson) Torkelson. Jan was one of five children. She received her bachelor's degree, majoring in Home Economics from the Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa. While in college, she met Dale, another student, on a blind date. They were married on December 29, 1955, in Elgin, Iowa. In 1958, their first child was born, Tom. At the time, Dale was commuting between Cedar Falls and Iowa City, working on his Ph.D. degree. Jan worked as a substitute and full-time teacher of home economics in Cedar Falls. In 1963, Jan, Dale, and Tom moved to Wayne, Nebraska. Jan worked in the home taking care of her son. In 1966, daughter Mary was born. While Tom was growing up, Jan attended all of Tom’s football, basketball, and baseball games. Jan had many hobbies and interests, from playing cards, collecting antiques, cooking, sewing, knitting, and golf. She was active in the ladies’ league at Wayne Country Club for many years. Jan volunteered at her church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, as a Sunday school and Vacation Bible School Director and teacher. In 1976, the family moved to Hays, Kansas. Jan continued to work in the home while Mary was in grade school and middle school. She began working at Fort Hays State University serving in several positions including Interim Director of the Alumni Association. While with the Alumni Association, she initiated several innovative programs that still exist today. Jan retired from FHSU in 1991. She was also an avid golfer at Smoky Hill Country Club, active in several bridge clubs, and a member of Chapter BQ of PEO in Hays.
In retirement, Jan and Dale traveled to watch their granddaughters’ activities, including Elise’s concerts, Madelyn’s and Molly’s soccer and basketball games, and Kiley’s golf tournaments for Hays High School (never missing a tournament) and FHSU women’s golf. Elise, Kiley, Madelyn, and Molly enjoyed many years going to “Gramma’s house” after school and spending quality time with Gramma and Grampa. These were special times for the Johansen family. Jan and Dale spent many summers in Iowa, playing golf and cards with her sisters and brother-in-law.
Jan was the ultimate loyal and faithful servant to her church, family, friends, and community. Whether it was making cookies and other sweets with her granddaughters or attending family events, Jan supported her family with love, compassion, and selflessness, and was the ultimate role model for her granddaughters. Jan didn’t meet someone on the street without greeting them. Her radiant smile and graciousness will be remembered always and cherished by those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her son Tom Johansen and his wife Vicki of Hays; daughter Mary Martin and her husband Mike of Hays, four granddaughters: Elise Johansen Harvey and husband Alex of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Kiley Johansen Barnett and husband Reid of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; Madelyn and Molly Martin of Hays; and seven great-grandchildren Lincoln, Aria, Salem, Abram, Asher, Rosemary, and Freya.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dale; parents, Oliver and Reva Torkelson; sisters Norma, Dorothy and husband Don, and Delores and husband Harry, and infant brother Wayne.
Memorial Services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Rev. Christine Wagner officiating. Inurnment will follow in Mount Allen Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the funeral home. A celebration of Jan’s life will occur at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Gentiva Hospice, Hutchinson, Kansas. Condolences and memories of Jan may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com