Longtime Goodland, KS resident and former Sherman County Clerk, Janet R. Rumpel, 68, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at the Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, CO.

Janet was born on June 30, 1951 in Russell, Kansas to Bernard and Josephine (Hammerschmidt) Thomas. She was one of three children. Janet attended school in Wakeeney, KS and graduated from Trego Community High School in 1969. She then went on and attended two years of college at Northwest Kansas Vocational School in Goodland, where she earned a degree in Data Processing.

On November 20, 1971, Janet married Alan Rumpel in Wakeeney, KS. To this union, two children, Scott and Brian were born.

Following her graduation, Janet started her career working at Goodland Glass as a bookkeeper until a job opportunity came up for her to start working at the Sherman County Courthouse as a Deputy Clerk under Velma Holste. Upon Velma’s retirement, Janet was appointed by the Kansas Governor to fulfill Velma’s position until that term was over. Janet was then elected as the Sherman County Clerk where she worked for 33 years until her retirement.

Following her retirement, Janet worked part time for a couple years at Dependable Glass Company as a bookkeeper. She was also a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland. She held every position on the Kansas County Clerks Association; working her way all the way up to being the President. She had a love of animals, enjoyed baking, painting, sketching, playing the piano and gardening. She was also a Lector at church, and spent many hours working as a Sherman County Election Official, getting prepared for many elections.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her son Scott, and a half-brother Don Thomas.

She is survived by her loving husband Alan of the home in Goodland, her son Brian (Linda) Rumpel of Goodland, KS, six grandchildren, and a brother LeRoy (Barb) Thomas of Goodland, KS. She is also survived by numerous extended family, nieces and nephews and many friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, August, 5, 2019 at 10:30 AM MT at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland with Father Andrew Rockers and Father Norbert Dlabal officiating. Burial followed in the Goodland Cemetery.

Visitation was held on Sunday, August 4, 2019 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with a Vigil Service and Parish Rosary at 7:00 PM.

Memorials may be designated to the Janet Rumpel Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.