Janice Ann Reitz

1941 - 2024

Janice Ann (Henderson) Reitz, age 82, of Manhattan, died May 9, 2024, at her home.

She was born October 10, 1941, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of James Lloyd and Opal (Cox) Henderson.



After graduating from Wichita North High School, Janice started her secondary education at Emporia State before earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas. She later completed a Master's in Education from Kansas State University.

On August 21, 1965, in Wichita, Kansas, she was married to Leland C. Reitz, MD. They met while he was an Internal Medicine Resident and she was a Nurse at KU Medical Center. They were married for 58 years until her passing.

Nursing was the perfect career for Janice, as she dedicated her whole life to helping others. She began by working at KU Medical Center, and later worked for Pawnee Mental Health. , After taking several years away to focus on raising her family, she returned to the nursing profession as a school nurse for the USD # 383 school system, primarily at Amanda Arnold Elementary School. School nursing was where she found her greatest satisfaction through the impact it allowed her to have on the children and families of Manhattan.

In 1969 Janice and Leland decided to go to Vietnam as members of an international relief organization called Project Concern. In Vietnam, they helped provide care for anyone who needed it at a primitive health care facility that had been established in the Central Highlands region of the country. Their first child Max was born in 1970 while they were there. After returning to Kansas, they set down roots in Manhattan, where she would live the rest of her life. Their second son Nathan was born two years later.

As a mom of an active family, Janice became known for having the best house for her boy's friends to visit after school, on weekends, and during the summer. She enjoyed catching up with them, listened intently to what they had been doing, was quick to encourage, and ready to feed anyone who came over. This same hospitality was also in endless supply for her own friends, neighbors, and family in the area. No matter what you were in need of, she seemed to have a way of listening, understanding, and helping you find your way. Everyone felt better after spending time with her. Throughout her life, she seemed to be always present but never in the way and this was certainly true as she guided her family through their daily living.

Janice was a member of College Avenue United Methodist Church and remained actively involved in the church her whole adult life. Her church community became accustomed to her endless energy to get involved, both helping with projects and as a leader when it was needed. She met and remained lifelong friends with many people at College Avenue. One of her biggest enjoyments at church was getting the opportunity to serve others and she used this lesson in all areas of her life.

After her kids left the home, Janice began to move on to even more life adventures. She loved to travel and spent time with family visiting many areas of the world including a return visit to Vietnam as well as trips to Africa, the Galapagos Islands, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. When home she gained endless enjoyment working in and maintaining her gardens. She and Leland's house became locally known for its year round beauty but also the great seasonal decorations out front, especially at Halloween. Her community outreach included time working with The Riley County Historical Society, Harvesters, Meals on Wheels, Kansas State Community Gardens, work on the Board of McCain Auditorium, and the Wareham Theater renovation project. She took immense pleasure in visiting her grandchildren and celebrating their accomplishments both big and small. All four of her grandkids always loved to see her and benefited from her wisdom and encouragement. Maybe most impressive however, were the small acts of kindness she would spread to anyone she came across in her neighborhood or town, that always seemed to come at the time they were needed the most.

Her husband, Leland Reitz survives of the home. Additional survivors include their two sons: Thomas Max Reitz and his wife Chrissy of Hood River, Oregon, and Nathaniel Dean Reitz and his wife Carrie of Overland Park, Kansas; four grandchildren: Joe, Jill, Millie and Phin; and her sister, Linda Downtain of Overland Park. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald Henderson previously of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

A Celebration of Janice's Life will be held on July 10th, 2024 at 1:30 in the afternoon at College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1609 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS, with Reverend John Collins officiating. Inurnment will be in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.

Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Kansas State University Foundation for The Gardens or Sunset Zoo. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.