Janet "JJ" Jo Ann Smith

Janet Jo Ann "JJ" Smith 63 Ozawkie

Janet Smith passed away Thanksgiving morning November 24th 2022 at Heritage Gardens in Oskaloosa, Ks., her husband Craig by her side. Janet suffered a severe, disabling, hemorrhagic stroke March 2nd 2018. She was strong willed and miraculously survived until succumbing from late effect of the stroke.

Janet was born February 12th 1959 in Marion, Ks. to Valerian "Jerry" and Margaret (Pientka) Bezdek of Florence, Ks. Janet attended school in Florence and Marion. She graduated from Marion High School with the class of 1977. She attended Brown Mackie College in Salina, Ks. earning a diploma in the medical secretarial program, where she learned shorthand. Her shorthand writing skills became very useful when in September of '78 she hired onto the Santa Fe Railroad in Emporia, Ks. Her first job, in her almost 40 year career, was clerk-stenographer in the Chief Dispatchers office. She took dictation from dispatchers in shorthand and typed out wires in readable English, to be sent out across the division. This was a time before computers, email and cell phones. Janet worked many clerical positions in the division offices there.

At this time, Janet and Craig who began dating in high school, moved in together. In July of 1980, Craig was in need of gainful employment. Santa Fe was hiring, so Janet sent him to Topeka to apply. With luck and her connections and good standing in the Emporia offices, Craig's career on the railroad began. He would say it was her fault he was working there. When the division offices in Emporia closed in the mid '80's Janet transferred to Topeka and continued working various positions, commuting from Emporia.

On August 1st 1986 Janet and Craig were married at Emporia. In February 1987 they moved to Ozawkie, Ks. and started their family. Janet became a working Mom. She excelled at it, doing it all, while Craig worked on the road , returning home on the weekends. Janet was an extraordinary woman, wife and mother. She loved taking care of her family and was very proud of her children's many talents and accomplishments. She was an amazing cook and baker. She had a green thumb and could grow anything from house to garden plants. She enjoyed crafts of all kinds, intricate pumpkin carving, origami, sewing, tagging Monarch butterflies and many other projects. Janet was a fan of Kansas City Royals baseball, cold beer and penny slot machines.

Taken too soon, she will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Janet is survived by her husband Craig of the home. Daughter Hannah, North Kansas City, Mo. Son Ryan, wife Nicole and grandson Caleb, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where Ryan is serving in the Navy. Son Jacob, Lawrence, Ks. Sisters, Barbara Lewis, Marion, Ks. and Beverly Bezdek, Lawrence. Ks. Nephew Jeff Herzet, Niece Jennifer Herzet and many Great Nieces.

Janet is preceded in death by her Parents, Brother Marvin Bezdek, Sister Marilyn Lalouette, and Nieces Lori Lalouette and Lynette Lalouette.

Interment and graveside service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions to American Heart & Stroke Association may be sent in care of

Barnett Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 602 Oskaloosa, KS. 66066