Janice K. Huelsman

Janice (Hockersmith) Huelsman, 78, died November 30, 2024, in Oakley, KS. She was born February 26, 1946, in Quinter, KS, to Joseph M and Myrtis (Terpening) Hockersmith. She attended Fort Hays State University.

Janice married Robert A. Huelsman on July 15, 1967, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Oakley. Their children are daughter, Lisa Unrein and husband Brad, of Hays, KS and son Randall and wife Cheryl of Gardner, KS. She had eight beloved grandchildren, Victoria Titchenor and husband Matthew, Clinton Clare, Jonathan Huelsman, Natalie Huelsman, Weston Huelsman, Addi Huelsman, Alex Unrein and Braden Unrein and four great-grandchildren, Maleah Clare, Daniel Ofisi, Marshall Clare and Giovanni Titchenor.

The couple lived in Colorado when they were first married, and Janice worked in the court system there. In 1981, the family moved back to Oakley, where they owned and operated the Sears Catalog Store until its closure by Sears. When DSNWK opened the branch in Oakley, Janice was their first secretary. In the evenings, she did the bookwork for Hometown Tire & Appliance, a business she and Bob owned.

In retirement, Janice enjoyed going to the donut shop, eating lunch at the senior center, doing number puzzles, watching crime shows, going to casinos and traveling. She was a member of the St. Joseph Altar Society and Daughters of Isabella.

Along with her children and grandchildren, Janice is survived by her brother Donald and wife Eileen, of Oklahoma City, OK; step-brother, Oura Garrett and wife Mickie, of Oakley; step-sisters, Connie Maier, of Oakley and Charla Morris and husband Larry of Shell Knob, MO; sisters-in-law, Lynn Hockersmith, Tucson, AZ, Sharon Hockersmith, Wichita, KS, and Donna Garrett, Park, KS, and many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert on March 26, 2022; parents Joseph and Myrtis; step-mother Imo Jean Hockersmith; an infant sister Vivian; brothers, Jerry and Harvey; step-brother Delbert Garrett; brother-in-law Leroy Maier; sister-in-law Mary Lou Huelsman; nephews, Justin Robben and Mason Hockersmith and niece Donna Jo Woofter.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m., with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley. Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oakley, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Church or the Daughters of Isabella #686 and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com