Janet S. (Krehbiel) McGillivary, 61, of Manhattan, passed away March 22, 2024, at Good Shepherd Hospice House. She was born in 1962 in Kingman, KS to Merlin and Kerren Krehbiel.
Janet was raised on a poultry and wheat farm outside Pretty Prairie. Growing up, she and her siblings Joni and Mike gathered eggs as part of the egg production on the farm. She graduated from Pretty Prairie High School in 1980 and then attended Bethel College, graduating with a degree in home economics in 1984.
While at Bethel, Janet’s roommate, Dawn Abrahams, introduced Janet to her future husband, Larry McGillivary, who was Dawn’s childhood friend from Hillsboro. Janet and Larry married on July 28, 1984 at First Mennonite Church in Pretty Prairie, KS, and lived in Hillsboro, KS. They eventually settled in Manhattan, KS.
Janet worked briefly for the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and Tabor College, and in 1987 began employment with the State of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services. She continued to work serving the children of Kansas until her death. Janet was a member of Manhattan Mennonite Church, where she was involved in practically every possible role except pastor and custodian. She was also an active alto singer in the Flint Hills Masterworks Chorale.
Janet treasured her family. She built such special relationships with her nieces and nephew and doted on her grand-nephews. She and Larry loved their papillons over the years: Bobalu, Bonnie, Mack, Angel, Izzy, and Harvey. Janet loved being around other people and had a warm and magnetic personality. Throughout her entire life, children gravitated toward her, sitting with her in church services and sharing her enthusiastic hellos and hugs at camp.
Janet’s love for Camp Mennoscah began as a youth camper. Over the years, she moved into leadership roles as counselor, input leader, and program director, spending a week at camp almost every summer for about 50 years. Generations of campers at Mennoscah will remember her loving and welcoming presence, patient and calm guidance, and hundreds of lanyards made.
Living in Manhattan turned Janet into an enthusiastic K-State fan, attending tailgate parties and football games and wearing all things purple. A more recent hobby of Janet’s was piecing quilts, taking after her mother. She loved the simple pleasures in life: frozen Pepsi, visiting with friends, taking countless pictures of flowers, hiking the Flint Hills, and appreciating the beauty of nature. Janet will be remembered for her love of people, her faith in God, her hope in future generations, and her kind, gracious, and giving spirit.
Janet was preceded in death by her mother, Kerren (Ewy) Krehbiel. She is survived by her husband, Larry McGillivary, father Merlin Krehbiel (LaVerta Moody), siblings Joni Jantz (Allen) and Michael Krehbiel (Kris), nieces and nephews Kylie Weber (Jake), Dylan Jantz (Elise Fast), and Amber Hoogerheyde (Jake), and grand-nephews Watson and Oliver.
Memorial services for Janet will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday March 30, 2024 at the College Avenue United Methodist Church, 1609 College Avenue in Manhattan. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. A reception and sharing time will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Camp Mennoscah or the Manhattan Mennonite Church Building Fund are requested in Janet’s memory. Attendees are encouraged to wear bright colors in Janet’s honor.
The Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansdas 66502, is assisting the family with the service arrangements.