Janice C. Ard

Janice (Laver) Ard, age 84, of Humboldt, Kansas, passed away peacefully at her home on October 20, 2025, just where she wanted to be.

Janice was born on September 9, 1941, in the Bronson, Kansas Area to Clyde and Verona Laver. From the very beginning, she was a fighter. Throughout her life, she faced and overcame incredible challenges , surviving three different types of cancer, multiple surgeries, and more than one stroke. Despite these hardships, her perseverance and strength never wavered.

Janice graduated from Elsmore High School with the class of 1959. On September 6, 1958, Janice began dating the love of her life, George Dewayne Ard. The two families had been longtime friends, and their connection grew into a lifelong love. Just one year later, on September 6, 1959, Janice and George Dewayne were united in marriage at the First Christian Church in Humboldt, Kansas. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising four daughters, one right after another. Janice devoted herself fully to her family, making their home a place of warmth, love, and homemade meals. Janice and George Dewayne were very committed to their company, Ard Trucking, as he would drive the truck and she would insure that all of the books and paper work were correct.

Janice was well-known for her cooking , especially her unforgettable fried chicken and her famous Thanksgiving dinners. Her granddaughter always looked forward to her special stuffing each year. Everything Janice made was from scratch, and she took great pride in it. She even raised her own chickens , around a hundred at a time , which became the "secret ingredient" in her delicious recipes. Every morning and afternoon, she faithfully made breakfast and lunch for George Dewayne, complete with two slices of bacon, one egg, one piece of toast, and a cup of coffee.

A hardworking woman through and through, Janice was never one to shy away from a task. "No one worked harder than Janice," George Dewayne often said. She spent many years milking cows, often placing her young daughters in high chairs in the barn so she could keep an eye on them while she worked. She also worked hard in the fields and could be found doing any job that needed to be done, from running the disc to working the chisel. Janice was also a dedicated hand with their race quarter horses, from bathing to feeding them, she made sure they were always ready for the public eye and the races. Janice had a green thumb as well, tending to her garden with the same care and dedication she gave to her family.

Janice had a beautiful singing voice and was even a top singer in high school. She also loved to travel, she and George Dewayne visited every state in the U.S., as well as Mexico and Canada. Some of their most memorable adventures included Seattle and California. The most memorable location they traveled to was undoubtedly Yellowstone National Park. Although Janice wasn't fond of water, she could be found on a pontoon, just not in the water. Together, she and George loved camping with their friends and could often be found doing so nearly every weekend. Farlington Lake was their favorite spot, filled with many cherished memories shared around the campfire.

Life brought Janice many joys, but also profound loss. The passing of her beloved children was deeply painful, yet she continued to persevere, remaining a strong and loving presence for her family. Even during her time in the hospital, her family cherished every conversation and moment shared with her.

Janice's strength, love, and devotion to her family will be remembered and cherished forever. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, resilience, and the simple joys of homemade meals and unconditional love.

Janice is preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Verona (Caiton) Laver; Two Daughters, Rhonda Steele and Connie Lickteig.

Janice is survived by her husband of 66 years, George Dewayne; Siblings Larry and wife Judy Laver, Brenda McFarland; 2 daughters, Janet and husband Curtis Thompson, and Jill Ard; 7 grandchildren, Steven, Stacy, Chris, Jamie, Ryan, Ashley, and Shelby; 20 Great-Grandchildren; and 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, in The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas. A graveside service will follow the next day at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Mount Hope Cemetery in Humboldt, Kansas.

Memorials in Janice's Honor can be made to Horizon Hospice, and left in the care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas 66749.

Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.