Janet Jones

Janet Engwall Jones, 78, of Topeka, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2016, with her daughters by her side, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Janet was born November 9, 1937, at Concordia, Kansas, the daughter of Andrew Francis (Babe) and Nina Uglow Engwall. She was a graduate of Courtland High School and Kansas State College (now University). In a hurry to catch that handsome man, she graduated from college in three years to marry Robert R. (Buck) Jones at Ada Lutheran Church in Kackley, Kansas, on June 8, 1958. She then taught school in Mankato for two years until she stopped in order to raise their children. She and Buck moved from Salina to Topeka in 1963. Instead of celebrating their 8th wedding anniversary, Janet, her husband Buck, and daughters spent the evening of June 8, 1966, in the basement taking shelter from the F5 tornado which destroyed their home and possessions. Ever resilient, they rebuilt and recovered. In 1974, Janet joined the office of the Kansas Revisor of Statutes and began a career in the administration of the legislative process in Kansas that would last for 34 years. Janet also joined the administrative staff of the Kansas House of Representatives that year beginning as the reader and serving in many other capacities before being appointed Clerk of the House in 1988. She faithfully served at the pleasure of each Speaker of the House until her retirement in 2008. During her tenure as Chief Clerk, she served on the Executive Committee of the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries. In 2001, Janet earned the Legislative Staff Achievement Award of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Janet believed in the legislative process and endeavored to ensure that the rules were not politicized. Janet was “feared” and “revered” in her leadership role in the House, earning respect from both sides of the aisle. Janet and her husband also owned and operated Topeka Boat Storage for many years. One of her hobbies in later years was preparing the monthly newsletter for the Miller’s Glen Homeowner’s Association. Janet was also an avid reader, belonging to book clubs and keeping a copy of the Bookmobile schedule in her car at all times. The library Red Carpet service had a hard time finding books Janet hadn’t already read. She was a member and former council member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church; the Topeka Auxiliary of Kansas Engineering Society; and a member Chi Omega sorority. Surviving are her two daughters, Colleen Jones Lippe and her husband David, of Topeka, and Monica Jones, Shawnee KS; and two grandchildren, Andrew Lippe and Allison Lippe. Janet was preceded in death by her parents and husband Buck (2011). Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Friday, August 12th at Miller’s Glen Village Hall, 2234 SW Village Hall Road, Topeka KS. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 13th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 2021 SW 29th Street, Topeka KS. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Foundation, 1515 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66605; The Northeast Kansas Parkinson Association, P.O. Box 67432, Topeka KS 66667; or Grace Hospice of Topeka, 3715 SW 29th Street, Suite 100, Topeka KS 66614.

Janet Jones

November 9, 1937 - August 5, 2016