Jayne Mills

B. Jayne Harper Mills, 96, died peacefully surrounded by family on September 7, 2026 in Wichita, Kansas.

She is remembered by her friends and family as a witty, sparkling, and kind person. Jayne found beauty in the world around her. She exhibited strength and determination with a joyful spirit and grateful heart. Our sincere thanks to Phoenix Hospice and Heartland Hospice for their gracious care. 

Jayne was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1930. When she was 8, the Harper family moved to Medicine Lodge, KS, where she met her future husband. Tonk noticed the pretty little blue eyed blond at the beginning of 3^rd grade. Luckily, she took a shine to the red headed boy in return. They married in 1952. Jayne studied education at Washburn University. She began her teaching career in a one room school house and later taught 2nd and 3rd grades. She received her Bachelor’s degree in English from Huntington College in Alabama the day before she gave birth to their first of their four children. Jayne and Tonk moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1957.  

Family was important to Jayne. She was a devoted and loving wife. She maintained close ties with her parents and brothers. She was an excellent mother, patiently answering all of her children’s questions, instilling in them a love of reading, a love of nature, and the importance of people. She listened. She was kind. She was quietly funny and laughed a lot. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her great joy.

Jayne was active in a number of community organizations, including P.E.O., Kansas Dental Wives (Past President), Eastern Star, Delta Gamma, Thursday Afternoon Cooking Club, and East Heights United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher. She was also a co-founder of Do-Nothings, where great friendships were forged with 14 women that gather monthly to “Do-Nothing.”

Jayne traveled to all 50 states, often associated with Tonk’s glider contests and golf. Jayne loved seeing the gardens and landscapes of different areas. She was especially fond of beaches and collected sea shells. The family enjoyed summer vacations in Estes Park, Colorado. Her favorite places included Hawaii, Greater Abaco, and Scotland. She especially enjoyed the people, food, scenery, and back roads of Scotland. Jayne enjoyed playing Duplicate Bridge, golf, Scrabble, and beat Tonk at gin rummy for 70 years. Jayne loved to cook and was a fun-loving hostess for family and friends. She enjoyed gardening.  Jayne loved roses! In her later years she struggled some to communicate and certainly to ambulate, but did both effectively.

Jayne is survived by her husband, Tonk Mills; children, David Mills of Kansas, OK, Susan (Brett) Hodges of Stilwell, KS, Sarah (Rick) Hufnagel of Fort Collins, CO, John (Barb) Mills of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Tyler (Illana) Hodges, Michael (Mackenzie) Hodges, Tess (Adam) Morris, Riley Mills, Aidan Mills; step-granddaughters, Katy (Matt) Fergen, Laura (Jesse Janzen) Hufnagel; great-grandchildren, Brayden Hodges, Peyton Hodges, Harper Hodges, Fred Hodges, Hayden Erwin, Hendrix Kipp, Stella May Morris; step-great-grandson, Cooper Fergen, brothers Tom (Ann) Harper, Kirke (Linda) Harper, John Harper; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lucy Hammon and K.K. “Dutch” Harper; great-grandson, Louis Hodges; and sister-in-law, Carol Harper.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 19th in the Chapel at East Heights United Methodist Church, 4407 E Douglas, Wichita, KS. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Highland Cemetery, Medicine Lodge, KS. Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.

Memorials have been established with East Height United Methodist Church, 4407 E. Douglas Ave Wichita, KS 67218 and Midian Shrine Plane of Mercy, 130 Topeka St. Wichita, KS 67202.

Jayne will be buried in a plot
with a nice view of the Gyp Hills.