Janet Rhea Olin

God called home one of his sweet angels, Janet Olin, 69, of Olathe, KS on September 1 after a brief, non-covid related illness. “Jan” as she was known to those who knew and loved her, came into this world on November 8th, 1951, in Wilkinsburg, PA to proud parents Doyle and Cora Moye. Her family later moved to Belleville, Illinois where Jan graduated from Belleville Township West High School. She went on to attend the University of Kansas, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education , majoring in German and English, with distinction. Upon graduation from KU, she began an illustrious teaching career that spanned 34 years, beginning in 1973 in the Eudora, KS school district where she taught German, English and study skills. Two years later she began teaching in the Lawrence School District, first at South Junior High, then finishing her career in 2006 after many years at Central Junior High. At South she taught German, Study Skills and Communication. At Central she taught German, English, Study Skills and Young Adult Literature. Her German students at both South and Central affectionately called her “Frau Olin” as she inspired them to achieve and believe they could make a difference in this world. During her teaching career she co-authored district curriculum guidelines for the German program, chaired textbook selection committees, taught German for Lawrence Adult Education and hosted German-speaking guests in Lawrence and at KU. Additionally, she planned and personally coordinated 20 overseas trips to Europe with students and others.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Doyle and Cora Moye. She leaves behind her life partner, Paul Stewart, along with her sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Kourosh Kermani of Burghaslach, Germany. She leaves behind her beloved niece Shiva Eisele-Kermani and husband, David, of Streitheim, Germany. Additionally, she leaves behind cousins James Moye, his wife and children, James Henderson and Laura Petry and their spouses and children, along with her their mother Marion. She leaves behind a cousin Corinne Grizzard of St. Charles, MO. Jan also leaves behind her beloved God-brother Sasan Kermani and his wife and their children in Florida, along with many other relatives and friends in Germany, Hawaii, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, California, and Kansas.

Jan has been cremated and her ashes prepared for burial in an urn at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.

A “Celebration of Life” for Janet Olin will be Saturday September 18th at 11am at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. The family strongly urges everyone to stay safe and view the service live as it streams at www.warrenmcelwain.com by clicking on her obituary just before the service begins at 11.

For those who choose to attend the service in person, the family requests all visitors wear a mask and practice social distancing wherever possible. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to a local animal shelter in Janet Olin’s name.