Jana Hirschman

Hirschman, Jana, 60, left this earth on December 30, 2010. Service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 4 at Downing and Lahey Mortuary East. All are welcome to memorial services at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Congregation Emanu-el. Interment will be in Forest Park Cemetery, Anthony, KS. On April 11, 1950 Jana was born to John and Wilma Jean Schnackenberg of Anthony Kansas. Jana was the second of four children and was raised in a loving Christian family on the family farm southwest of Anthony Kansas. Growing up she loved to learn about things. After graduating valedictorian from Anthony High School in 1968 she attended Emporia State University to earn her degree as a Medical Technician. Jana came back to work in the medical field in Wichita. She received her Masters in Microbiology from Emporia State University. Finally she retired from the VA Hospital in Wichita Kansas in 2006 to spend more time with the people she loved. After marrying Warren Mathews in 1969 they lived in Wichita and moved around Kansas, but came back to the Wichita area where they lived in Rose Hill. After fighting severe injuries from a car accident in 1983 Warren passed away in 2000. In 2002 Jana met Don Hirschman and they married in 2003. Jana and Don were inseparable and loved to travel, going on several cruises, traveling around the United States and to several countries. They had a love that radiated out so that no one questioned their love for each other. Jana loved animals and had a dog and two cats, their dog went on several trips with them. During this time Jana was involved in the Congregation Emanu-el and the Eastminster Presbyterian Church, where she served on several committees. She also served on the Board of Senior Services in Wichita. While trips were always being scheduled Jana never forgot to be a loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt, or friend to those who knew her. Janas warm heart, quiet actions, and gentle voice were always comforting to those she loved. Family and friends were an important part of her life; she made a point of visiting with them as much as possible. She never passed judgment on anyone and made everyone feel loved. Janas curiosity and love for learning was never satisfied. She was constantly striving to learn more about the world around her. Reading, photography, and love for nature stretched into all areas of her life. Before trips she would read up on where they were going, finding places and facts that made their trips even more interesting for both of them. Her camera was always handy, through her photos the simplest blade of grass turned into a work of art. Living in the country, she loved to take their dog; Maestro for walks, the two of them spent many days roaming around fields discovering nature. Her health was important to her; she worked out daily, walked daily, and swam several times a week. Jana was preceded in death by parents John and Wilma Jean Schnackenberg and Warren Matthews. She will be deeply missed by husband Don Hirschman, Derby KS, sisters Kathy (Al) Aldridge of Tigard OR and Angie (Mark) Cloud of Wichita KS, brother JD (Janice) Schnackenberg of Portland ME, step mother Donna Schnackenberg of Anthony KS, step sister Sherri Piersall of Kansas City, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial has been established with Senior Services, 200 S. Walnut, Wichita, 67213. All are welcome to memorial services at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Congregation Emanu-el. Interment will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, Anthony, KS.