Janet Mary Brassart

Janet Mary Brassart finished the final chapter of her life’s book on June 11, 2024. By all accounts, her own included, it was a life well-lived on her own terms and with few regrets.

Born on August 30, 1946, to Lester and Kathryn (Mader) Brummel in Ottawa, Kansas, Jan was raised a farmer’s daughter, which instilled in her a life-long love of rich, freshly tilled earth and all things green and growing.

From the beginning, family filled her life. With five uncles and six younger siblings, gatherings were large, frequent and loud, with libations a-plenty. You could always count her in for a hand of pitch as long as it was 7-point.

While working full-time and raising her family as a single parent, she earned a master’s degree in English with a minor in Spanish from Emporia State University. This was one of the many examples she set for her children, proving that any goal is within reach with enough hard work and planning.

She taught English and Spanish at Hartford and Olpe High School, touching countless lives and thriving on instilling a passion for literature and seeing the lightbulb moment, when she knew she had gotten through.

Her love of education continued into retirement with active membership in K-State’s Extension Master Gardener program, where she could spread her enthusiasm for self-sufficiency and growing food, which she frequently sold at her booth at the Emporia Farmer’s Market.

Jan believed reading was the cheapest form of travel: “You can instantly transport yourself anywhere just by opening a book.” She read books by the author, even if she didn’t particularly care for them after the first, and read book series out of order if she didn’t feel like waiting out holds at the library.

A healthy sewing habit kept her home full of quilts, which she frequently gifted to loved ones. Her quilts were to be used, not displayed, so that people she cared about could be warm and comfortable.

Despite many tragedies and hardships, Jan remained an eternal optimist. She could make the best out of any situation and found no reasons to complain.

She is survived by her daughter, Elisabeth (Robert) Hardman; sons Paul (Jana) Wallen and Benjamin (Kristin) Brassart; grandchildren Andrew and Olivia Wallen, and Matt (Amanda) and Brandon Hardman; great-grandchild Andrew Hardman; and siblings Dave (Cathy) Brummel, Lawrence (Rhonda) Brummel, Ruth (Don) Wise, Karen (Larry) Wray, Cathy Harding, and Chris (Steve) Rogers; and many well-loved nieces and nephews.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Brassart, Jr.; her daughter, Laura Wallen; and brother-in-law, Tim Harding.

We invite friends and family for “Snackin’ and Drinkin’” to celebrate her life on Friday, June 28th, 2024, from 4-7pm at the Arterra Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Dr., Lawrence, KS.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Emporia Friends of the Library or the Emporia Farmers Market.