Janis Elaine Converse, 63, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2026, at home in Lenexa, Kansas. She was born on May 16, 1962, in Chanute, Kansas to Dr. Glen Ashley and “Pete” Ashley. She attended Murray Hill Elementary School, Royster Middle School, and Chanute Senior High School where she was a varsity cheerleader and a varsity tennis player until she graduated in 1980. After graduation, she attended Pittsburg State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Janis moved several times in her life and ended up back in Kansas, where she met Gary. On January 30, 1999, they were married and started their lives together in Mission, Kansas,where their son, Sam, was born.
Eventually, they moved to Lenexa, Kansas and Janis would take a position as a paraprofessional at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, where Sam would end up attending -- which thrilled her. She loved working at school because she was able to spend the summer breaks at home with Sam. Long days at the swimming pool with neighborhood friends and family vacations to destinations like Yellowstone National Park are things she treasured. She loved all kinds of word games, prided herself with her punctuality, and always requested disco music in the car.
She was involved in every moment of her family’s lives. She never missed Sam’s frequent band concerts, Boy Scout meetings, and the countless times chauffeuring Sam and his friends, back and forth, from house to house. She was always with Gary no matter where he went. Tight knit doesn’t even begin to describe Janis, Gary, and Sam.
Janis had a huge love for cats. She cared for her first cat, Buster, loving him till the end. In 2014, Leo, was adopted. She spent hours talking to Leo, smothering him with love and affection. He would follow her everywhere, even if she was just getting up for a minute. Her idea of a perfect night was watching TV, chatting with Gary, and having Leo by her side.
She did things she didn’t even like because it mattered most just being with her family. The occasional high school play where Sam was on the production crew, going to restaurants she didn’t care for, and even an overnight campout that Gary somehow talked her into. She was born selfless, always putting others first. She was the most loving wife and mom her family couldhave ever asked for.
Janis is survived by her ever-loving husband Gary and son Sam of Lenexa. She is also survived by her brother Mike Ashley (Durinda) of Prairie Village, sisters: Linda Ashley of Chanute, KS, Patricia Shillcutt (Chuck) of Salem, OR, and Mary Winder (Bill) of Chanute, KS. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Pamela Ashley.
A visitation will be held at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 21st at the Porter Funeral Home, 8535 Monrovia, Lenexa, KS. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, January 22nd at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 12800 W. 75th Street, Shawnee, KS.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers and because of Janis’s love for cats, especially Buster and Leo, please specify “Janis Converse” as the tribute name and donate at this link: Great Plains SPCA Pet Adoption Center.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.porterfuneralhome.com