Janice Brake, Age: 97
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Feb 13, 1927---Jul 23, 2024

Janice Brake died on July 23, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Janice, daughter of Richard and Edith Linda, was born February 13, 1927, in Burlington, Iowa. She grew up in Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa, where she was president of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.

In October 1951, she married John Brake of Sioux City.  They had two children, Steven (deceased) and David of Girard, Kansas.  The first year of marriage was spent in Iowa City while John (Jack) attended graduate school and completed ROTC training.  In 1952, John, as a distinguished military graduate, accepted a regular Army commission, and the couple started on a line of twenty-two addresses in twenty-eight years in this country and Germany.  In 1977, John retired from the Army, and they moved to Overland Park, Kansas.

Through the years, Jan volunteered in many places and pursued fun activities such as golf, bowling, and bridge playing.  She retired from bowling after the 2023 season.

Survivors include David Brake (Mary), Girard, Kansas, and seven grandchildren: Kristen Borer (Tommy), Jeremy Vance (Heather), Lindsey Brake, Samantha Brake, Capt. Logan Brake (Ashley), Natalee Brake, and Alex Brake, and four great-grandchildren: Aiden, Annelise, Elisabeth Borer, and Madeline Vance.

Services will be held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  The time and date will be announced later.

           


Condolences

Nancy Gauert Jul 28, 2024

Friend ,Leawood ,Kansas

I shared many days with Jan playing bridge and golf. She was such a sweet lady. She was still playing bridge at the club this spring. I will miss her. All the gals at Leawood will miss her

Cynthia Sdano Jul 28, 2024

Friend and bowling teammate ,Overland Park ,Kansas

If I could have chosen my mother, it would have been Jan. She was as such a sweet lady. She and I had similar beliefs in the importance of working hard for what you want. We also had similar views on the political front. She and I both liked to wear holiday sweaters. She gave me a cardigan with poinsettias that was too big for her. I wore it a few times, even though it was actually too big for me, too. Jan was always happy and seemed to like to have a good time. She traveled more than I have, but I’m trying to catch up to her. We both enjoyed seeing new places and learning how other people live. Jan enjoyed her nightly glass of sherry. I don’t drink sherry, but I will raise a glass of Pinot Grigio in her memory tonight.

Sheri Baldwin Jul 28, 2024

Alpha Chi Omega sister ,Overland Park ,Kansas

What a life so well lived! The Gamma and Lunch Bunch sisters of Alpha Chi Omega send our deepest sympathies. We knew Jan as a remarkable woman who gave endlessly of herself. She will be missed by many. May God give each of you gentle comfort and strength.

Ann Dyniewicz Jul 29, 2024

I met Jan through MuMu alumnae group in K.C, of Alpha Chi Omega. She was always upbeat and such a joy to be around. I loved her enjoyment of reading and we would exchange good books that we had read recently. Just this spring at our annual salad luncheon, she was across the table from me talking about what good health she was in, however she had just had to give up bowling. She has left a great legacy to her family about life and how to develope friends. She will be missed.

Patty Schmitt Jul 30, 2024

Friend ,Overland Park ,Kansas

I enjoyed playing both golf and bridge with Jan in recent years. Always very positive! We shared a connection to Burlington, Iowa since we had both lived there, but at different times. She told me about her many moves, but I didn’t know she had been president of her sorority at Iowa! Such a go getter! Patty Schmitt

Peggy Person Jul 30, 2024

Golf friend at CCL ,Kansas city ,Missouri

I enjoyed playing 9 hole league with Jan. Even when the weather was bad, I knew if Jan could be out there, I could be out there! She was my inspiration to continue playing golf as you age. She will be missed.

Linda Nollen Jul 30, 2024

Friend at Country Club of Leawood ,Leawood ,Kansas

I moved to Leawood about 10 years ago. Through 9 of those years I played golf and Bridge with Jan.. She was most amazing for her age. She always had a welcoming smile and happy laugh. The thing I admired most of her was her determination. No matter what body part was giving her a problem, she smiled and carried on. Jan was a role model to so many women. I am certain Jan was a role model to many family members who are grieving her death. I am keeping you in my prayers.

Carla Mattson Aug 01, 2024

Alpha Chi Omega , Mu Mu chapter ,Lenexa ,Kansas

I got to know Jan through our alum group; MuMu of Alpha Chi Omega; about 15 years ago after knowing Jan for sometime; we started talking about her Iowa roots. I told her the only one I knew from Webster City Iowa was my aunt, Fran Merrill; she then exclaimed that she had grown up across the street and knew her very well; had dated her brother and had kept in touch with my aunt for several years. It was always a special memory for us Jan was a special friend to me and I'll miss her.

Janice Toms Aug 06, 2024

Leawood Country Club friend ,Leawood ,Kansas

Jan will really be missed by all who knew her. She was a special person who always made you feel good about yourself. My sympathies to her family! She was so proud of all of you!!

Lindsey Nov 04, 2024

Granddaughter

Grammy was an extraordinary grandmother who expressed her love through gift-giving and worked tirelessly to make holidays and birthdays memorable. She even celebrated my dog's birthdays! I will miss exploring Kansas City's dining scene with her, but I am grateful for our last special dinner at Lidia's. She continues to inspire me in many ways, and I hope to embrace life with the same enthusiasm when I reach my golden years. She would often say that she was the lucky one because she had such a wonderful family, but we were the lucky ones to have her.