Jane Nettels

Jane Letton Nettels died Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021. She was 87.

Jane was born to Mable (Kelsey) and Raymond Letton on Jan. 12, 1934, in Pittsburg, Kan., five days before her lifelong friend and future husband, Curt Nettels.

She graduated from Pittsburg High School and the University of Kansas, where she earned a B.S in education. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Jane met Curt at their church's preschool. In kindergarten she taught him to tie his shoes. They married June 9, 1955, at First Presbyterian Church in Pittsburg.

After Curt's graduation from law school, they returned to Pittsburg to raise their family.

Through the years Curt's work took them to Kansas City, St. Louis, then back to Kansas City. Each place, Jane made a welcoming home and true, lasting friends.

She was a lifelong Presbyterian and a deacon. Most recently she was a member of Village Presbyterian Church. She volunteered in her church and community wherever she lived.

In her younger years, Jane loved to play golf, and she and Curt saw many beautiful parts of the country and many beautiful golf courses.

She loved books, bridge, travel, KU basketball, “Masterpiece Theater” and opening her home to family and friends. She made entertaining look so easy and had a gift for keeping the focus on others rather than herself, wherever she was.

Curt died in March 1996. Jane is survived by her children: daughter Sarah (Curt Seifert) and sons John and Tom; granddaughters Jane and Sarah; brother John Letton (Elena), nephew Ben (Sara) and niece Kate Parks (Devin), and a large family on the Kelsey side, including her Aunt Maxine. In Curt's family, she leaves behind his brother, George, and many nieces and nephews for whom she was loving Aunt Janie.

Jane was Curt's bright light and love and her children's rock and truest friend. She was kind, wise, funny, giving, curious and very capable.

She wanted only a graveside service. Family and friends are invited to the burial at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Highland Park Cemetery in Pittsburg.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Salvation Army, KC Hospice, KU Endowment or Village Shalom.

Her children want to thank Vicki in the Village Shalom rehab center for her compassionate, tender nursing care. They are extremely grateful.