Janet Stratton

Janet Stratton, age 81, of Clinton, Missouri passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at St. Luke's East Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. Memorial service will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 2, 2025 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Englewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Clinton Retired Teachers Association and may be left in care of the funeral home.

Janet Gayle Brown was born on July 22, 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri to Harry D. Brown, Sr. and Gladys (Slusher) Brown. She graduated from Warrensburg High School in 1962 and later graduated from CMSU in 1968. She went on to earn a Masters in Education from CMSU as well. Janet taught third grade for 34 years retiring on July 3, 2003. She taught in Warrensburg, Whitman AFB, and in Clinton.

Janet was a very active member of the community and belonged to many organizations in Clinton. These included being a member of Clinton Methodist Church for many years, and The Daughters of the American Revolution. Janet loved to play Pickleball at the Benson Center in Clinton. She was part of multiple card playing groups with Bridge and Pitch being her favorites.

Janet and Mick belonged to Meadow Lake Country Club, where they were avid golfers for many years. She was part of the Meadow Lake Ladies Golf Association.

Janet was a member of "The Legends of '62", established in 1962 by a group of girls from Warrensburg, Missouri. The purpose was to continue remembering and making amazingly wonderful memories together. The members of this group were (oldest to youngest) Linda Carpenter, Sue Fogerson, Billye Palmer, Janet Brown, Peggy Stevens, Melinda McDonald, Kay Blanton – later adding in Sandy Griffey.

The year 2025 found each of these gals turning 81 years of age. Many of them have actually known each other from kindergarten days – but in general, their friendships have successfully endured somewhere around 75+ years!

The Legends said their good-byes to its first member, Linda, early in the year. Now, as the year comes to an end, we are saying "God Speed" to our sweet friend, Janet Brown Stratton.

As we reflect on our adventures with Janet through our life-time, we share with you a few snip-it's of things we remember about our times with Janet:

..Janet had a very quick wit and a very dry sense of humor

..Her laugh could be heard everywhere

..She and Kay always had their heads together working on the KC Star crossword of the day

..Janet was an athlete! Janet was competitive!!

..You always wanted to be picked by Janet to be on HER TEAM

..Melinda remembers "always being picked last by Janet"

..Janet was a Teacher's Teacher. Oh, how she loved her kiddos

..Janet always had a fabulously funny story to share

..Mick, was her husband but he was OUR favorite dance partner

..The Legends loved gathering in Warrensburg, Branson and one trip to Chicago!

Janet is survived by her siblings: David and wife Nova Brown of Broussard, Louisiana, their children Wesley, Mendy and her husband Cal Waits and their children, Mae, Finley and Holland; Alex, and his wife Grace and their daughter Ava. Dick and wife Cris Brown of North Kansas City and their Children Brandon Brown and his fiancée Nicole Caylor; Dr. Nicole Brown and her husband Braden Medders. Janet's Sister in laws; Jan and her husband Tom Beck of Lexington, her dear friends Jeff and Julia Stone of Clinton, Missouri, she is preceded in death by her husband Mick, and her parents.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.