Janet E. Sinn

Janet Elaine (Kidwell) Sinn was born on November 18, 1951, in Abilene, Kansas to Arthur and Roberta Kidwell of Enterprise, Kansas. She departed at Heritage Care Center in Fairbury, Nebraska on November 30, 2021 at the age of 70 years.

Janet was the firstborn of Arthur and Roberta. She grew up in Enterprise on the Kidwell Poultry Farm with her two sisters and one brother. She attended the Enterprise Methodist Church and became a member there after confirmation. Janet was very active in 4-H during her youth as well as school activities, such as band and senior ensemble. She graduated from Chapman High School and then attended Kansas State University, where she graduated with magna cum laude honors in Family and Consumer Science. While she was at K-State, she stood in for a friend on a blind date and met the love of her life, Lawrence (Larry) Sinn. They were inseparable since the very first night and married on May 19, 1973.

Larry and Janet made their home north of Mahaska, Kansas, just inside the Nebraska state line. Larry worked on the family farm while Janet worked for a short time at a factory in Belleville – though she truly desired to be an extension agent in Kansas. Although that never came to be, she was able to start her family just over a year later when her son Brian was born. Two years later, her daughter Michelle was born. Larry and Janet always had planned to have two biological children and two adopted children. Since the first part was complete, they began their journey of adoption with the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. In 1984, their daughter Rachel was born, and they were able to bring her home from the hospital four days later. Because Janet was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1992, Larry and Janet changed their original plan and decided their family was complete with a son and two daughters.

In 1976, Janet started working in Fairbury at the American Charter Bank. Throughout her years in Fairbury, she was respected greatly as a loan officer and received many referrals from the real estate agents in the area. She worked her way up to branch manager, a position she held for many years, and even helped Union Bank and Trust build a new building in Fairbury. Even though the bank changed names several times, Janet remained loyally there until her retirement. During her career, Janet was also involved in the Fairbury community – especially Kiwanis and the Parkinson’s Support Group.

Janet was very active in the Mahaska community for all years that she lived there. She was extremely involved in the Mahaska Merry Makers 4-H Club – as a club leader, project leader, and volunteer. She loved teaching others how to cook and sew. She also enjoyed helping with the animals – especially the lambs! Janet participated with the daily lamb walking, feeding, shearing, washing, and prepping for the fair as much as Larry and the kids did. 4-H was certainly a family affair for the Sinn family! Another great love for Janet was the Mahaska Presbyterian Church, which she joined after moving to Mahaska. She was a Sunday School teacher and church elder for many, many years. She was proud to raise her family in the church community. Her life showed her love of Jesus, and she was glad to pass that along to her children.

Janet was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Kidwell; father- and mother-in-law, Albert and Nellie Sinn; brothers-in-law, John and Terry Sinn; and niece, Ashleigh Kidwell. She is survived by her mother Roberta of Louisville, Kentucky; husband, Larry of Mahaska; son Brian (Danielle) Sinn of Hanover, Kansas; daughter Michelle (Ryan) Dick of Hebron, Nebraska; daughter Rachel (Adam) Kirchner of Lincoln, Nebraska; grandchildren Cloe, Aliyah, Elgin, and Greyson Sinn of Hanover; Walker Dick of Deshler, Nebraska; Alexia, Logan, and Lauren Dick of Hebron; Ryker and Mika Kirchner of Lincoln; sister Judy (Kent) Bible of Fountain Hills, Arizona; sister Carol (Darryl) Lawson of San Jose, California; brother David (Anna) Kidwell of Louisville; brothers-in-law Gary (Debbie) Sinn and Ron Sinn, both of Mahaska; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Funeral services for Janet will be Saturday, December 4 at 10:00 am at the Mahaska Presbyterian Church with Pastors Phil Goombi and Gerry Sharp officiating. Janet’s final resting place will be in the Mahaska Cemetery. Her family will be receiving friends and family from 6:00-8:00 pm on Friday, December 3 at the Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Mahaska Presbyterian Church.