Janet Norris 1951-2023
Janet Pauline Norris, 72, of Culver, died Saturday, March 25, 2023.
Janet was born Feb. 13, 1951, in Salina, the daughter of Warren and Pauline (Scheideman) Norris. She graduated from Salina High School in 1969.
Mother, teacher, friend, adoptive grandma, sister and dog/horse rescuer are but a few titles that encompass the life she led in service to others, her community, church, schools, summer camps and kids everywhere. Above all she was proud to be a mom and aunt to many others in trying and difficult family circumstances. Her compassion, patience, calm advice, hugs and love knew no bounds.
A graduate of Washburn University in 1990 with top honors in education, she dedicated her professional life to being a communications and mass media teacher at Washburn Rural Middle School. After retirement, she worked in special education and as a sub and para across many districts.
According to her wishes her ashes will be interred in a Norris family tomb in Clay Center, in a private Viking ceremony. The rest will be spread in the pyramids of Egypt and Alaska along with some other notable international landmarks, parks and flower gardens that break several rules, laws and treaties.
She is survived by her only son, Phil Norris, of Topeka, and her sisters Sharon Axtell of Culver and Marilyn Harvey of Mayetta. There are also innumerable other souls that have called her mom, grandma, aunt or simply as Ms. Norris at school to count or mention.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Pauline Norris; a brother, Dale Norris; a niece, Brittany Norris; and her beloved family dog, Sadie.
In lieu of flowers, she would prefer that whoever wishes to honor her memory would call up an old friend, relative or someone else dear and go out for a hike together to pick up trash, cans that need recycling, etc. to clean up our living planet we all share. Financial donations, however, can be made to her favorite horse charity where she volunteered for many years, B&C Equine Rescue Ranch, 740 W. 125th St., Carbondale, KS 66414.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at Topeka First Assembly of God Church, Topeka.
(PAID OBITUARY)
