Jane Van Pelt (Kemper) Janke

Jane Van Pelt (Kemper) Janke, 98, of Columbus, N.C., passed away peacefully at home on March 20, 2025.

Born April 30, 1926 in Glen Ellyn Illinois, she was the daughter of the late John and Grace (Horner) Kemper. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Richard (d. 2002), her two sisters Jacqueline Jones (d. 1976) and Phyllis Kalk (d. 2003), and daughter Kathryn Watson (d. 2022).

After growing up in Glen Ellyn, Jane attended and graduated from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where she received her teaching degree and met the love of her life, Richard.

From Illinois Jane and Richard married, moved to Wisconsin for Richard’s Seminary Studies, and shortly after relocated back to Richard’s home state of New York to start a new life serving God in the Episcopal Church and begin growing their family.

While raising a family of 5 children and taking in foster children and college students, Jane volunteered with the kid’s activities while working full time at the New York State Labor Department as an Unemployment Interviewer. She worked at the state for 25 years, then retired so she and Richard could move south to North Carolina where retirement gave her the luxury to travel, volunteer, and in later years, play her favorite game of bridge.

Jane was a talented artist, playing the violin and piano as well as singing.  Her violin playing continued throughout her life from childhood, to the College Community Orchestra in Plattsburgh, and well into her 90s.

Friends and family could count on Jane/Mom/Grandma to spark cheer with her upbeat smile and sense of humor.  She was a gracious hostess, and always enjoyed socializing, whether playing bridge, going to church, or joining friends and family for a group outing. Jane never stopped living out her faith in the Lord, taking up ministries that were close to her heart and being the best “minister’s wife” that she was called to be.  She even went on mission trips in Appalachia and the Dominican Republic and helped start a local after school program.

Jane is survived by her children Cynthia Worrall (Winfield) and Jennifer Dean (Glenn) from Landrum, SC, David Janke from Columbus, NC and Phoenix, AZ, and Barbara Ruffin (Ray) of Plattsburgh, NY; six grandchildren: Auburn Trommeter, Karl Riley, Kendra Lamoretti, Winscott and Richard Worrall, and Anna Dean Egan; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service was held at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Tryon, NC on Friday, April 11th at 1:30 pm.

Burial service will be at Gilliland Cemetery in Plattsburgh, NY on Saturday, May 24th at 1:00 pm.

Sanders Funeral Home of Columbus, NC.