Jan Sayler, 86, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2021 surrounded by her family. Jan’s life will be celebrated on Friday, September 17 at 4pm at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri. The service will be live-streamed at www.standrewkc.org.
Jan was born on December 4, 1934 to Fred and Agnes Stanzel in Sac City, Iowa. She lived on the family farm, where her father raised livestock. Her family later moved to the town of Sac City, a wonderful community in northwest Iowa. Jan attended the University of Iowa, where she was President of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Prior to her graduation in 1956, she worked as a summer camp counselor in Wisconsin, where she met her future husband Bill Sayler.
Jan and Bill were married in November 1957. They loved and cared for each other for 64 years. Jan and Bill had four children—Kelly, Scott, Jodi, and Julie. Bill spent his entire career working for Business Men’s Assurance, and Jan spent her “career” raising four adventuresome children. Although she never made any money at it, Jan was something of an entrepreneur, co-owning the Needle Nook (needlepoint) and Connoisseur (antiques) and holding numerous garage sales. Jan was a fantastic mother. She loved and supported her kids at every turn and stayed busy with hobbies and charitable activities, but her primary focus was her husband and her children.
As the years went by, Jan and Bill were blessed with fifteen grandchildren (and, now, four great grandchildren). Jan had a special relationship with every one of her grandchildren. Whether it was the annual Christmas cookie day in grandma’s kitchen, Jan’s annual spooky Halloween party, or the Christmas Eve gift exchange, holidays with the grandchildren at grandma’s house were always memorable. Jan and Bill spent their winters at John’s Island in Florida, and all of Jan’s children and grandchildren have special memories of great times together in Florida.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, her three siblings, and her youngest daughter Julie Sayler Green (husband Bob). She is survived by her husband Bill, her children Kelly Krahl (Kevin), Scott Sayler (Nancy), and Jodi McGannon (Pat). Jan is also survived by her fifteen grandchildren, who she would insist we list by name: Bryan Sayler, John Krahl, Megan Sayler Zahner, Alison Sayler, David Krahl, Patrick McGannon, Jack Sayler, Connor McGannon, Elizabeth Green, Maggie McGannon, Emily Green, Grace Green, Matthew McGannon, Robert Green, and Meredith McGannon. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6401 Wornall Terrace, Kansas City, Missouri 64113 or a charity of your choice.
Bill, Allen and I send our heartfelt condolences to you and your wonderful family. We were pleased to have known Jan and will miss her, especially over the bridge table. It was also special knowing she was a Kappa sister. You are in our prayers.
Ann and Allen Jones
Dear Bill–Dean and I are so, so sorry you have lost your beautiful Jan. We’ll will miss her at the bridge table and we’ll forever miss her dancing in her sexy high heels. We’ll miss her lively conversation. And we’ll miss having dinner with you both. She was gorgeous in every way and surely a loss to our little world.
Love, Connie
Dear Bill
Gay and I want express our sympathies to you and your entire family; we will miss Jan’s wonderful smile and friendship.
Reflect on Jan’s life well lived.
Fritz & Gay
Dear Bill and family, How truly saddened I was to read the John’s Island email telling us of Jan’s death. The obituary was a heartfelt story and made me smile while reading about her happy life filled with an abundance of family, friends, love and joy…. A special person she was to all.
Bless you,
Ann and John Dillon
I am so sorry to hear of Jan’s passing. I did not know her very well but we shared wonderful musical moments with the John’s Island Chorus/Singers and have missed her being in Vero for a long time.
We shared sad ongoing talks about her daughter Julie’s fight with cancer as I was beginning mine. I was luckier than Julie and luckier than Jan. My heart goes out to the family as she is an incredible loss.
Now, as a by the way…..Jan lookedHALF her age….I find it hard to believe she was 86. I thought she was closer to my age or younger. Never mind how old that is…..
LOve to the family.
dede
I am so very sorry about Jan. She was a truly special person and I only wish I had spent more time with her over the years. She will be missed by many and in our thoughts forever. Please know that we are here for you.
I was so very sorry to read of Jan’s passing. She was truly a lovely woman. She also had the good sense to marry a man who went to Southwest High!
Sending prayers.
Bill, Jan was the best. We had so much fun over the years with the both of you. We remember the dinner we had in May just before we all headed north for the summer. Jan was like her old self. We all had a lot of fun especially her. We shall remember her that way, always a joy to be with.
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
We will toast Jan when we get together in Vero.
Chips and Diane
WOW—-Wonderful Obituary for and even more outstanding person. Thanks for letting us know the beautiful life of Jan and the family.
Bill and all of the family, you’re in our thoughts and prayers. ?
Bob Wheatie Gibb
Sandy and I were very sad to learn of Jan”s passing. She and I enjoyed entertaining our John’s Island friends and neighbors as members of the JI Singers. We’ll always remember her warm smile, her gracious manner, and especially her devotion to her family.
Bill and Sandy Rose
Jan was a wonderful and very special lady. We have many great memories of Jan especially with her children and grandchildren in Johns Island. She will be missed by all of us. Our deepest sympathy to Bill and her family.
Dee and Richard Gordon
Bill, we are so sad at the loss of your soulmate, Jan . She was delightful and I loved playing golf and bridge with her. We look forward too being with you in Johns Island in the fall. Sherry Ann and Ned.
Bill- I will forever remember our time together with the John’s Island singers, singing second alto and enjoying our happy times together. Jan was one of a kind and will be missed by all those who’s lives she touched.
With love,
Paula