Janet Kaye Sims

Memories of Janet

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	Bob Jewell remembers... "Janet always attempted to broaden our horizons. Soon after she returned from her first trip to Europe, she brought fondue to the farm. Dad was very skeptical of anything that wasn't meat and potatoes. The fondue pot was placed on the kitchen table and the heat was applied. We settled around the table and dipped our first skewers of food. Suddenly, the hot oil started to erupt out of the now boiling fondue pot. We all sprang back from the table. By now the shower of oil had reached the ceiling, putting quite a stain in the ceiling. After much excitement, the lid was put on and the meal was declared a diaster. Janet spent the next several years trying to convince Dad that ethnic cuisine was worthwhile."
	Judi Swink remembers... "Janet and I met when we lived on 5th floor in Lewis Hall during our years at KU. We were both in the KU School of Education and had many good college times. We ended up in KC with small children and got together from time to time. Eventually she moved to Hutchinson (my home town) and we would rendezvous or run into each other in the mall and such. When she returned to KC due to her illness we had some pleasant afternoons together going to the movies, running errands and seeing sights. She had such dignity during her ALS months in KC. She never missed a chance to say thanks, or give a thumbs up, or say "We'll make it work" when things got dicey. We both loved the holidays as former teachers and decorated to the hilt. One of our errands was to get napkins and such to celebrate St. Pat's in March in Manhattan. She loved going to Hallmark to pick out cards for friends and family. Mail time was a big event for her in those last months - a way to feel connected. I'll always remember her appreciation for everything life had to offer, her enthusiam, love of people around and being social, her practicality and thriftiness and how smart she was. I respected Janet for how she led her life and will miss knowing I won't bump into her walking at the Hutch mall or seeingthat special smile she greeted one with - always glad to run into a friend and catch up. Up to the last personal appearance was important to her. She loved having friend Sandi do her nails and we never left her apartment without instuctions do tidy up her hair and apply her lipstick. We shared a loved of all things KU, esp. the basketball team. We both had a love of travel. Rock Chalk Jay Hawk to Janet, my friend and mentor."
	Karen Lyda remembers... "My memories of Janet covers a long time. We are cousins less than a year apart in age. I remember a lot of fun times at family get togethers at Burns on the farm where our grandparents lived. I remember a lot of fun times when I visited for a week on the farm in Peabody. We chewed bubble gum to clog the holes in an old horse tank so we could fill it with water and play in it. Uncle Paul milking the cows in the barn and shooting a stream of milk fresh from the cow to the cats and kittens. They would have milk all over their faces. There was a feather bed mattress in the attic and we loved to play up there. Then Janet would come to Wichita to visit with us. What one of us didn't think of to do the other one would. I went to Kansas City for a training seminar and on a free evening Janet picked me up and we went to her home to "catch up". Shera was just a baby and we so cute. We talked for hours before she took me back to where I was staying. There are so many memories. She will be missed and there is a very special place in my heart that she will live in forever."
	Christi remembers... "My 3 oldest children attended Obee during Janets time there. Two of them have moved on to middle and high school. She loved her students so much she knew all about each of them and seemed almost like family to us. I remember the summer my daughter left Obee for middle school. Halfway during the summer vacation ,We got a call from Janet asking if she could come take my daughter out for the day. She wanted to do something fun with her for thanks for all the help my daughter did with several projects during her grade school yrs at Obee. She let the kids know she cared and thanked them often for work done well. I'll never forget all the monthly assemblies we attended at Obee, Mrs Sims was always there doing a dance and teaching a new song. The assembly's were never boring :) It was a riot seeing her every Halloween dressed up just enjoying herself with her students. Her M&M costume and Hersey bar ones are some that I remember most. She also enjoyed wearing her robe from Japan. Never a dull moment with Janet she always was thinking of new ideas and acting on them. There wasn't a time my family and I didn't see Mrs Sims out speed walking at the Hutchinson mall when we happened to be there shopping she never failed to stop what she was doing and say hi or give a hug to the kids. There are to many memories to mention. I also had a chance to work at USD 313 ,for a few months it was for Obee. Mrs Sims was always there to help me whenever I had a problem with getting the kids under control to take them to or from school. She was great to work with never had a problem on that level either. We have lots of pictures of her with my children and they spent time looking through them tonight. She will forever be remembered for all her great work."
	Berneda Jewell remembers... "Janet was my sister-in-law for 40 years and we had many fun times together. She was an exceptionally talented seamstress and whenever she visited she had her sewing machine with her and was working on a project, either for herself or a friend. She had a way of drawing you to the projects she was working on by having you help cut, pin, press, and sometimes rip! Being the novice seamstsress, I took advantage of her knowledge that she shared and became confident enough that I sewed for my two daughters, including party dresses, which, for me was a huge undertaking. but with her encouragement and expertise they turned out beautiful. I will be forever grateful for all she taught me and for the closeness we shared as sister-in-laws."
	Candace Sebert Anderson remembers... "I grew up believing there wasn't anything my older cousin Janet could not do. She was smart, pretty, full of energy, and caring. She was also talented in many different areas. Janet's talent was for me a great benefit. Thirty-four years ago, Janet made my wedding dress. She went with my mother and I to several different bridal shops while I tried on gowns and determined what I would like. Janet sketched ideas and put together my wedding dress without a stock pattern. Today, everytime I see my wedding gown, I think of Janet."
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