Janet K. Derby

Janet K. Derby, 83, of Ozawkie, passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024. She was born January 19, 1941 in Topeka the daughter of Lawrence and Viola Murphy Easum. She was raised in Oskaloosa. She played in the band during high school and graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1959.

Janet married Richard Barrett in June of 1961 at the Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. They later divorced. Later Janet married Farris Derby in May of 1987 in Grantville at the Methodist Church. He preceded her in death in 2017. She later reconnected with her high school sweetheart Harold Reed of McLouth. She lived in McLouth before her health declined and moved in with her son Dan at Ozawkie.

Janet lived most of her adult life in Topeka and Augusta, Kansas. She worked as a secretary for several insurance adjustors during her career. After retiring as a secretary, she enjoyed working as a para with special needs children at Blue Stem Elementary School in Augusta. She found that to be very rewarding

Earlier in life she was a really good water skier and enjoyed boating with family. Janet enjoyed country western dancing, scrap booking, sitting outside soaking up the sunshine, reading cookbooks, cooking, and sharing. Her special gift was preparing Thanksgiving dinner for her family. Janet enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s sporting activities. Her favorite holiday was Mother’s Day and cherished spending time with her children.

Survivors include her daughter Jill Paletta and husband Shane of Topeka; son Daniel Barrett of Ozawkie; stepdaughter, Regina Derby of Ozawkie and stepson Wayne Derby of El Dorado, Kansas; grandchildren, Nathan Soza, and wife Jessica, Wes Barrett, Drew Barrett, Linzy Barrett, Jesse Becker, Justyn Becker and Thomas Derby; eight great grandchildren; her companion Harold Reed of McLouth and Richard Barrett who remained a lifelong friend of Janet’s.

Janet was preceded in death by her brother, Larry Easum in 1993.

The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am Thursday morning, September 5th at Parker-Price Cremation and Funeral Services, 245 NW Independence, Topeka, Ks 66608. Graveside services and interment will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 5, 2024 in the Grantville Cemetery.