Janet Thompson

Janet Lorrayne Thompson, age 86, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, September 28, at Heritage of Overland Park.
Janet was born on April 28, 1928, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Helen and Warren Wilkerson. She was reared in Racine, Wisconsin, and attended Iowa State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in zoology. At ISU she met and then married Alan Thompson in 1950. They had two children, Phyllis and Brian. The family moved to Kansas in the early 1960s. Janet completed a master’s degree in educational research at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She taught math and science in the Center and Shawnee Mission school districts. Janet also held several research positions, notably at the KU Medical Center and at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Besides her professional career, Janet was an avid musician. She mastered piano at an early age and continued playing throughout most of her adult life. She was the accompanist at the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Society and played in several chamber groups, including ensembles with her husband on cello, daughter on violin, and son on oboe.
Janet was a gifted artist and photographer with some of her photos receiving recognition by the Kansas City Zoo. Janet also loved to travel, and dozens of photo albums are filled with her beautiful pictures from around the world.
Janet was generous, kind-hearted, and open-minded. She was a thoughtful and even-tempered parent, an accomplishment reflected in her children’s success. Janet loved to recount detailed stories from her life and travels, and now her family and friends hold these memories in their hearts.
Janet was preceded in death by Alan Thompson in 1985, and by her parents and brothers, Alan and Roger. Janet is survived by her daughter, Phyllis Steer, and her husband Jim and their two children, Eleanor and J. Austin; and by her son, Brian Thompson, and his wife Mimi Braverman. Both Jim and Mimi agree that Janet was the best mother-in-law one could hope to have.
During her lifetime, Janet was fortunate to have many wonderful family and friends and after Alan’s death was welcomed and loved by the extended Rosenbaum family.  Phyllis, Brian, and their families would also like to thank the staff at the Heritage for their devoted care to Janet.  Your care of our mother was exceptional and will not be forgotten.
A memorial service will be held at a later date, after a private inurnment at the Johnson County Funeral Chapel and Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association and the Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church.

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