Jane Schreck Persons

Jane Schreck Persons died in her home on November 17, 2018 in El Dorado, Kansas in the company of her pastor and family. She was 92. Jane was born on July 6, 1926 in El Dorado, Kansas to Faye and Brock Schreck. After spending her childhood in El Dorado, Jane moved to Wichita and attended East High School, graduating in 1944. She married Bert Persons in 1946. The couple moved to Wichita, Kansas where Bert was the owner of a paving construction business; Jane was a mother to sons Brock and Steve. She is remembered as an involved and supportive mother, and a devoted wife and companion to Bert. Jane and the family enjoyed trips to various lakes in Kansas, as well as Colorado, Padre Island, and Yellowstone in the 1953 school bus that Bert had converted to a camper. Their home contained a menagerie of pets both typical and exotic including a raccoon, boa constrictor, dogs, cats, chipmunk, fish, birds, and a collection of rodents. This passion for animals led her to become a founding member of the Sedgwick County Zoological Society in 1971. When her family was older, Jane pursued a degree in music education at Wichita State University and graduated in 1972. Through her studies she became proficient in piano and cello and had a brief career teaching music education. Shortly after, Jane had a long and satisfying career as a drug and alcohol addictions counselor at St. Joseph Hospital, retiring in 1990. In 1986, Jane and Bert moved from Wichita to their farm near Towanda, Kansas where Bert had constructed a log cabin. Jane helped with the interior projects, created many beautiful needlepoint items, and collected Indian pottery and rugs from their many trips to Santa Fe and Taos, NM to complement their log home. After retirement, Jane began to raise and show Irish Terriers. She thoroughly enjoyed walking the dogs and immersing herself in nature around the farm. Jane was an avid bird watcher, amateur astronomer and a voracious reader. A lifelong learner, she took college literature and writing courses and authored poems, short stories, and novels. Jane moved from the farm to El Dorado in 2003 after renovating the former Walters Flower shop into a charming and cozy space. In her retirement she loved watching tennis, reading, playing bridge, spending time with friends and family and was a dedicated member of Trinity Episcopal Church in El Dorado. Jane is survived by her sons, Brock (Debbie) and Steve (Pam); and three grandchildren, Holly Sinkhorn, Shayne Heil, and Jenna Persons. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bert Persons in 1997; and her grandson, Daniel Persons in 2009. The funeral service is scheduled for 10:30 am on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 400 W. Ash Avenue, El Dorado, Kansas. Following the service, Mrs. Persons will be buried in a private ceremony at Towanda Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Jane has requested donations to the Dan Persons Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Circle School District Foundation, 901 Main Street, Towanda, Kansas 67144. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.