Janice M. Bassford

Janice Marie Bassford passed peacefully from this life at the age of 71, on October 18, 2023 at the Hilltop Lodge HRC (Beloit, Ks), after an extended illness. She was born in Beloit, Kansas, to Gerald C. Bassford and Margaret (Berneking) Bassford McCallum, March 11,1952.

Janice attended grade through high school in Beloit, graduating from BHS in 1970. As a French major, she was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Kansas and studied on a Rotary Scholarship in Bordeaux, France. On return to Beloit, she enjoyed involvement in the local Rotary Club.

Janice enjoyed an eclectic work history, applying her curiosity, attention to detail, and considerable work ethic to a variety of employment opportunities. She worked as a Braniff Airlines reservation agent, fundraiser for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, regional manager for Dairy Queen, salesperson for Ralph’s Spices and for Rhoade’s frozen bread dough, medical transcriptionist for Children’s Mercy Hospital, and finally, as Quality Systems Recorder for Farmway COOP/Central Valley Ag COOP.

One of the most unusual positions that Janice held was that of Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). After living in Kansas City and Topeka for a number of years, Janice moved back to Beloit in 2004, to help her mother. After completing her career, working remotely as a medical transcriptionist, Janice signed up for the CNA course. Never the nurse-y type, Janice took the course so that she would have more knowledge helpful in caring for her mother in her later years. She became a role model for a number of much younger CNA students and coworkers.

Over the years, Janice bought and refurbished two houses and a farmhouse in Beloit, usually adding a different character to her little piece of the community . . . for example, using colors of a San Francisco Victorian home, or a red roof atop a blue house. A visitor might not need the address to find her home, just the description of “the only pink farmhouse’ or ‘the only bright yellow house’ in the area.

Janice was active in her church throughout her life, in Kansas City, Topeka and Beloit. She supported various social causes, political candidates, community projects, and a variety of charities, volunteering for several nonprofit organizations over the years. She was known for her carrot cakes, a common token of ‘thank you’ or ‘congratulations’ and, sometimes, a sales item, the proceeds from which would go into her travel fund. Janice enjoyed reading, especially a good mystery, and she valued sharing a good discussion, over a cup of coffee, tea or glass of wine.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents,Tom McCallum (her mother’s second husband), and several well-loved aunts and uncles. Those left to honor her life are her brother Gerry and wife Elaine (Houston), her sister Karen Bassford (Denver), two nephews, Russell and Grant Bassford (Houston), one aunt, Ruth Berneking (Salina), and a multitude of cousins and friends who added much joy to her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Beloit, Kansas on Friday November 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. Refreshments will be served afterward. Suggestions for memorial donations in Janice’s honor include The Port Library, the Mitchell County Historical Society and National Public Radio (NPR).

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