Leta M. Janasek

Marveleta Mae Janasek (Leta), 94, entered this world on November 18, 1929, on the Murphy family farm near Munden, KS, to Lloyd and Ferne (Nixon) Murphy. She went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 21, 2024, in Belleville, KS.

Leta’s childhood was spent on the family farm, attending Munden grade school and creating memories with her brothers and sisters. She attended Munden High School and graduated in May 1947. Thereafter she obtained her teaching certificate through further education in Manhattan, KS, at Kansas State Agricultural College, and furthered her education later in life at Cloud County Jr. College. Her first teaching contract was in Munden starting in the fall of 1947.

As her young adult life progressed, she became a switchboard operator, and during this time she was swept off her feet by the love of her life, George A. Janasek, who would entertain her by singing all the latest songs. George and Leta were married on June 1, 1948, at the United Methodist Church in Munden and the happy couple were soon joined by their son Darell and daughter Pamela. Leta spent this happy phase of her life alongside George and his parents, Adolf and Anna, in the rolling fields of the Janasek family farm while raising her family. In 1960, a new house was built east of Belleville, and Leta started a career as a banking professional at First National Bank in Belleville where she remained for 20 years. In 1980, she became the office manager at Tibbetts Bros. Funeral Home, leading the transition from manual to computerized accounting while responsible for payroll, inventory, and serving as Board of Directors and Stockholder Secretary, and Assistant to the Corporate President. Leta was awarded the 1991 Tibbetts Bros. Award for Excellence by her close colleagues Jim Tibbetts and Kenny Fischer. Leta retired from this memorable and successful role in 1994.

In retirement, Leta and her beloved sister Dee Dugdale bought a condo in Mesa, Arizona, where they would spend the winter months for the next 7 years. Leta and Dee were a popular and iconic duo in the community there, and their families made many unforgettable trips to soak up the sun, pick fresh fruit, and swim in their pool.

Leta was a member of the Central Christian Church of Belleville, serving as deaconess and board financial secretary. She was also a member of the Eagles Auxiliary and Eastern Star of Belleville.

Leta was most proud of her family, whom she adored. She loved Darell’s and Pam’s musical talents. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew her as “Granny” from their earliest memories, and she was a monumental influence and role model to all of them. Walking into Granny’s house was like being wrapped in a warm blanket of love, optimism, encouragement, and confidence. Granny could lift people up when most needed and she set the gold standard for carrying oneself with dignity and class, even at our worst times. Christmas Eve, Easter, and Thanksgiving at Granny’s were highlights of the year. Her dedication and interest in family activities was legendary, whether it was travelling hours to ballgames, band concerts or graduations, lending shoes or her car for a first date, teaching baking skills, or just listening and offering advice, every minute spent together was pure.

Leta was preceded in death by her husband George, parents Lloyd and Ferne Murphy, siblings Dee Dugdale and Gene Murphy, brothers-in-law John Horak and Bob Dugdale, nephew Curtis Lee Murphy, and grandson-in-law Brian Usher.

Her memory is forever cherished by her son Darell (Barb) Janasek of Munden, KS, daughter Pamela (Sid) Scofield of Belleville, KS, grandchildren Clayton (Donna) Janasek of Independence, KS, and Angela Janasek Usher of Joplin, MO, great-grandchildren Cory Janasek of Wichita, KS, Ashlyn Janasek of Hays, KS, and Zach Beaty of Wichita, KS, her siblings Juanita Horak of Baldwin, KS, Jim (Carol) Murphy of Munden, KS, and sister-in-law Katie Murphy of Franklin, NE, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Visitation is Tuesday Oct. 29, 2024, from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville, with family greeting from 5pm – 7pm. 

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Central Christian Church in Belleville, KS. Interment will take place following services in Tabor Cemetery, Munden, KS. 

Memorials may be made in Leta’s memory to the Golden Bell Haven in Belleville, the Belleville Public Library, or Central Christian Church of Belleville, and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is entrusted with Leta’s arrangements.