Janet C Wortz

Janet Carol Wortz

Janet Carol Wortz, born on August 8, 1964, in Albany, Georgia to Jim and Colleen (Richmond) Hamlett, passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus at home on April 2, 2025. She is survived by her husband Philip of almost 37 years, their children, Philip James (32) of Wichita, Alyssa Michelle (31) of Newton, and William Henry (25), also of Newton, and two older brothers, Daryl (71) of Denver, Colorado and Charley (68) of Derby, Kansas.

Janet was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, para-educator, and friend, She grew up in Derby, Ks., where she graduated high school in 1982. She preceded on to Cowley County Community College where she graduated from the Cosmetology curriculum.

Janet and Philip met ‘cruising Douglas’ during the Wichita River Festival on May 9, 1986 and were married on July 23rd, just two years later, a love that lives on, even in her absence.

After the birth of Alyssa, Janet found her lifelong calling, as a pre-school para-educator in Holton Ks and continuing in Newton at Cooper Early Education Center when she moved to Newton with Philip and the children in 1999. Her passion for helping young children was unmatched and her summers off, always ended with a longing to see the children and to help them learn and grow.

Janet loved nature and all things outdoors and she only wore shoes when she had to. She loved to travel and explore new places and things, by plane, car, and on foot, and she did not enjoy sitting around because there was always something to see or do.

Janet was an amazing wife and mother. Her immediate family, extended family, and friends were the most important part of her life. Although she could be shy, having a sense of community made her life complete. Her kind and thoughtful nature endeared her to everyone she met and she was loved by many more than she even knew.

A Funeral Service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church, on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10:30am. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Ember Hope, in care of Petersen Funeral Home.