Janice Lynn (Rinker) Smart
March 21, 1941 ~ February 3, 2024
Janice Lynn Smart, 82, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2024 in her home at Reflections Retirement Resort in Salina, Kansas. She was born on March 21, 1941, to Lloyd V. and Una (Bailey) Rinker. Jan grew up in Solomon, KS and graduated from Solomon High School.
She was a homemaker who also worked several part-time jobs over the years. One of those jobs was at the Wonder Bread Store where she met “that cocky young truck-driver” Roger Smart who drove for the Bread Store. He ended up being the love of her life and they married on March 24, 1978. Jan and Rog shared 35 wonderful years together before he passed away and she missed him tremendously. Jan would tell you that the most important job she ever had was raising kids and taking care of her family. Her kids couldn’t be more proud of the woman she was and are forever thankful they were lucky enough to have her for a Mom. Jan would tell everyone not to mourn her because she is finally with Rog.
Jan’s favorite past-times included bowling, playing softball, coaching her daughters (and many other “adopted” daughters) in softball, and planting flowers. In addition to those, her love of sewing turned into a love of quilting which lasted her entire lifetime. She thoroughly enjoyed passing that love to everyone – whether through teaching the art of quilting or through gifting a quilt. She even taught her daughters to quilt!
Loved family members left behind include son, Brett Sidles of Assaria, daughter, Jaelyn and husband Mike of Solomon, daughter Una Vincent of Salina; grandchildren Danielle and husband Dylan Schmidt, Dalton and wife Kara Ecton, Kinsey Ecton, Logan Ecton and partner Hannah Dautel; great-grandchildren Evan, Thea, Brexton, and Gavin Schmidt, Josie Barrow, Lucie Ecton. She is also survived by her sister Carol and husband Dave Siebert.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Una Rinker, brothers Ronald and Keith and the love of her life, Roger.
Cremation has taken place and, per her wishes, there will not be a memorial service.
Cards to the family may be sent in care of Ryan Mortuary. Memorial contributions may be made to Salina Animal Shelter.
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