Janet (Leitner) Nitschke, age 93, of rural Cambridge, died peacefully at her home on Feb. 1st, 2024, surrounded by cherished friends and daughter in-law Laurie. All are welcome to join the family in celebrating Janet’s life during the viewing, which will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Feb. 9th at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield, KS. A private burial will be in the Cambridge Cemetery.

Janet’s parents were George and Blanche (Dakan) Leitner. She lived her childhood in Decatur County, KS, moving to Winfield, KS in 1944 to attend St. John’s Academy and Junior College. She graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana in 1951. That fall she began a 32-year career as a Business Department teacher at North High School in Wichita, KS, where she also sponsored the school’s Bible Club. She received a Masters Degree from Wichita State University in 1966.

Jan was married to Luther (Bud) Nitschke on Dec. 26, 1951, in Wichita. Mr. Nitschke was employed by the Federal Govt. His home base was Wichita, where they lived much of their lives. In the summer of 1969 they lived in Washington, D.C., where Bud and 29 other agents were stationed for training; the families were allowed to accompany them and tour the area.

Bud and Jan enjoyed country living on their cattle ranch east of Winfield, the BJN Ranch. Jan enjoyed membership in a local group, the Grouse Creek Ladies Club; the Club celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2020. Bud died peacefully at the ranch home in 2016, after 64 years of marriage.

Survivors include her daughter Ava Nitschke, Brownwood, TX; son Dr. George Nitschke and wife Laurie, New Ipswich, NH; grandson Jess Nitschke, wife Sarah, and great granddaughter Megan Reanne, Lampasas, TX; granddaughter Angela (Nitschke) Szrulovitz and husband Robert, Harrisville, NH; and sister Julie Schiessler, Oberlin, KS.