Janice Marie Pfannenstiel, 73, passed away on January 19, 2024 at Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas. She was born at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Hays, Kansas July 31,1950 to Wendell and Mary G. “Marie” (Wierman) Pfannenstiel.
She was baptized at Sacred Heart Church in Ness City, KS as an infant with her uncle William B. Pfannenstiel and her aunt Mildred (Wierman) Kraisinger as godparents.
She attended elementary school at Sacred Heart Grade School in Ness City and graduated from Ness City High School with the Class of 1968. Following high school, Janice enrolled at Dodge City Community College where she earned an Associates Degree in Business/Secretarial studies.
She worked for Montgomery Ward in Dodge City in the accounting department for a number of years before beginning a long career with the State of Kansas Employment Division in Dodge City.
Upon her retirement in 2005, she returned to Ness City where she was employed by the Pfannenstiel Brothers at Ralph’s Bestyet Grocery Store and The Mini Super Mart. At the time of her death, she was employed by Jerry Clarke and The Ness County News.
Janice’s life was centered around family. Her love for her sister Joanne (1951) and her brother Joe (1955) was immense. They were incredibly close and not only stayed connected through life’s journey but shared their deep devotion to their Catholic faith.
Janice was the proud aunt of three nephews and one niece, and the loving great aunt of one great nephew and seven great nieces. They were the joys of her life! She prided herself in attending their activities and special events. Her love for them was immense, and they returned that love to her.
Janice was preceded in death by a stillborn sister (1949), her parents Wendell (1974) and Marie Pfannenstiel (1993), grandparents Joseph & Amelia Pfannenstiel and William & Margaret Wierman, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by her brother Joe Pfannenstiel (Glenda) of Inman, Kansas, and her sister Joanne Emerick (Dave) of Hoxie, Kansas; nephews Tanner Emerick of Mt. Hope, Kansas, Austin Pfannenstiel and Lance Pfannenstiel of Inman, Kansas, and niece Mishaun Benisch of Inman, Kansas; one great nephew - Hayden Pfannenstiel, and seven great nieces – Bristol, Coralie, Daynie, Grayli, and Eliza Pfannenstiel, and Niah and Kalloway Benisch.
A Rosary/Vigil honoring Janice will be held Thursday, January 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ness City, Kansas, with the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Ness City.
Memorials are suggested to Sacred Heart Church, Ness City, Kansas; Ness County Hospital, Ness City, Kansas; or South Ness EMS, Ness City, Kansas.
Words of comfort and support may be left for the family by writing in the guestbook at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.