Janice Mae Braker

Janice Mae Braker, age 93, born May 1, 1929, died December 31, 2022 at Health Care Resort, Topeka, KS. She was the youngest daughter of Neal B. and Emma L. (Schulz) Andrews of Oakes, ND and spent her early years there. During the Great Depression, the family was displaced and lived in several states in the West as her father sought work. As the economy improved and WWII approached, the family settled in Columbus, Wisconsin, where her father returned to railroading. Jan graduated from Columbus High School and received her nursing diploma in 1950 from Wesley Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago, IL which is affiliated with Northwestern University.

Jan's husband, Rev. Bud Braker, was a pastor in the Kansas East Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bud and Jan served the UM churches in Effingham, Ottawa, Iola, Topeka, Tecumseh, and Overbrook, KS. Upon their retirement they moved to Gladstone, MO and joined Northcross UMC, where Jan was a member for many years and where her daughter Kathy still worships.

Jan practiced as a nurse for many years and worked in many different roles – medical/surgical units, emergency room, labor and delivery, hospital supervisor, office nurse for a general practitioner and later for an ophthalmologist, geriatric nurse and supervisor for two retirement homes in the Topeka area, Brewster Place and the Methodist Home. Jan also participated on a medical mission trip to La Ganove, Haiti.
Jan is survived by her sons, Roger (Sharon) Braker, Oklahoma City and Tom (Marlene) Braker, Fort Scott; her daughters, Kerrie (Loren) Bacon, Topeka; Kathy (Sasan) Baharaeen, Gladstone, MO; Jennifer (Kevin) Rea, Topeka and Julie (Aaron) Ross, Johnstown, PA; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Arnold, David, Larissa, Emily, Erica, Anne, Barbara, Michael, Renee, Caroline, Andrew, Emma, Cody and Lee; fifteen great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Willard (Bud) Braker, her sisters, Caryl Andrews and Dr. Jeanne Griffith, and her grandson Jeremy Braker.

Visitation will begin at 9:30 am Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Grace United Methodist Church, followed by funeral services at 10:30 am. Burial will be at Barry Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.

Memorial contributions will be designated to Heifer Project, International. Please make donations payable to Grace United Methodist Church, 2627 SW Western, Topeka, KS 66611.

To leave a message for Janice's family, please visit the guestbook below.