Jan O’Dell passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, at her sister Caroyln Porter’s home in Orlando, Florida. A private graveside service will take place in Olathe, Kansas, for both Jan and Tom near the burial site of their son Kelly. Date is to be determined.
Jan was born in Des Moines, Iowa on October 25, 1935 to Leonard and Mildred Nance. She was raised on the family farm outside of Adel, Iowa. Jan was the oldest child, and had three siblings Larry, Norman and Caroyln.
After high school, Jan attended McPherson College in 1953. It was at McPherson, Jan met the love of her life Tom O’Dell. The two were married on August 14, 1954. Jan gave birth to two sons, Mark in 1956 at Fort Leavenwoth, and Kelly in Topeka, in 1960.
Jan was a kind and loving mother and stayed home with her sons in their early years. After her boys got older she went to work at the Goodyear plant as a secretary in Topeka, in the mid 1960’s. She would live a “Hoosier’s” experience for nearly 40 years as a supportive high school basketball coach’s wife, and intensity watched her sons play the game. Those that are aware of this competitive world, know it is more than just an experience, it is a way of life. Her husband, Tom, was inducted into the Kansas and Kansas City Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Jan, in many ways, owns a big part of that. She rarely missed a game.
The family eventually moved to Olathe in 1969, which became their home up until retirement in 1994. Jan worked for King Radio (manufactured communication systems for airplane, ships, etc.) as a secretary for the engineers for over 25 years. In retirement, Jan and Tom would live in Bonita Springs, Florida, Highland Woods Golf and Country Club. Jan had a lot of great friends at Highland Woods playing golf, bocce ball, cards, parties, and retiring the way people should. In the spring of 2021, Jan and Tom, due to health issues, moved to Orlando (Longwood), with the love and care of her sister Caroyln Porter.
Jan always looked forward to family gatherings, and her kindness made the children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews feel special, and her love for them is implanted in their memories. She will be missed.
Surviving Relatives; Son Mark O’Dell and wife Radonna, Olathe, Kansas
Grandchildren; Marissa Osenbaugh, Piedmont Oklahoma, Ky O’Dell and wife Yari, San Antonio, Texas; Trey O’Dell and wife Shannen, Olathe, Kansas
Great Grandchildren; Marley and Lennin Osenbaugh, Oklahoma, Zayla and Kyrie O’Dell, Texas, Asher and Grey O’Dell, Kansas
Sister Carolyn Porter, Longwood, Florida.
Large number of Nieces and Nephews who all live in Florida, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas.
Preceded in Death; Father Leonard Nance, Mother Mildred Nance Kirkdorffer
Brothers; Larry Nance, Norman Nance
Husband Tom O’Dell and son Kelly O’Dell