Janet Marie Hoverson was born April 26, 1938, in Almena, KS, to Henry C. “Hank” and Christine (Currey) Kusel. She passed away November 13, 2020 at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS, at the age of 82.
As a young girl, Janet and her family lived in several locations where her dad worked: Almena, Downs, Stockton, Smith Center, and Kensington. During her childhood, her best buddy was her older brother, James “Jim” Kusel; she also had very fond memories of time spent with her cousins.
Her education began in Smith Center, KS; then after moving to Kensington while in the sixth grade, she completed her education at Kensington, KS, where she graduated from high school with the Class of 1956. Janet enjoyed high school very much and she was very active. She played tenor saxophone in the band, was drum majorette of the marching band, sang with the girls glee club and mixed chorus, and was a cheerleader for 3 years. During summer months, Janet played town-team softball.
Janet’s parents opened a grocery store in Kensington called “Hank’s Market”. Both she and her brother, Jim, would help out at the store after school, on weekends, and in the summer. She told her family that working in the store taught her many valuable lessons, especially to always treat people with respect and kindness. She took that lesson to heart her entire life.
On April 27, 1958, Janet married Don A. “D.A.” Hoverson in Kensington, KS. Don was in the U.S. Army at that time, stationed at Ft. Devens, MA. Janet moved to Massachusetts to be with Don during his military service. After his discharge from the Army, she and Don returned to Kansas and settled in Agra. Their family was blessed with the birth of two daughters, Tammy in 1959, and Lori in 1961. In 1962, “D.A.” moved his family to a farm located one half mile south of his parents. Their family was completed with the birth of another daughter, Lynda, in 1963 and a son, Dan, in 1968.
In the spring of 1969, the couple began the process of building a new house just east of where they had been living. They moved into their new home later that summer, raising their children and making memories there for years to come. In December 2007, after Don had retired from farming, the couple remodeled Janet’s childhood home, and moved to Kensington, KS. Don passed away on December 4, 2012, and Janet missed him every day since.
Janet was a loyal and loving wife of 54 years, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She brought life and light to this world. She left her family with so many wonderful memories, especially of holidays spent together enjoying her wonderful cooking and infectious laughter. She was involved in numerous community activities. She was a faithful member of the United Church in Kensington, KS, where she served as a pianist, as an organist, in bible study, and in community service. Janet also helped with Meals on Wheels, she served on the Kensington Library Board, she was a member of the K-town Kates, and loved getting together with her friends to play bridge and have coffee.
Janet is preceded in death by her husband, Don, her brother Jim, and her parents, Hank and Chris Kusel.
Survivors include her son Daniel and his wife Michelle of Valley Center, KS; her daughters Lynda McKee and husband Jon, of Brewster, KS, Lori Hoverson of Hays, KS, Tamara Daubert and husband, Paul, of Lakeway, TX; nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Private family services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the United Church of Kensington with Pastor Emily Blank officiating. The services will be streamed live on the United Church of Kensington Facebook page. Friends are welcomed to attend the burial in the Agra Cemetery, Agra, KS following the services.
Mrs. Hoverson will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Smith County Memorial Hospital or Kensington Senior Community Center.