Obituary of Janice Lynn Rogers
Janice Lynn Rogers
(nee Cushing)
Janice Lynn Rogers passed away peacefully at her home in Plainfield, Illinois on Monday, April 8, 2024 at the age of 60. Janice, better known as “Jan,” was born on September 22, 1963 to Mike and Judith (nee Malkmus) Cushing in Kansas City, Missouri. In her earliest years and onward, Jan was described as an independent thinker and valued family time above all else. Jan attended Raytown Baptist Church for Kindergarten, followed by Chapel Elementary for grades 1st through 6th. During that time she participated in Girl Scouts and played softball in the Raytown Little League. For grades 7 and 8, Jan attended St. Bernadette’s School and then went on to O’Hara High School. In between her studies, Jan often babysat for local families and worked for several years at the Jones Store. She graduated high school in 1981. She is remembered fondly by her parents at that time as someone who shone brightest when she was with people she loved.
Following high school, Jan volunteered at the nearby Research Hospital and then went on to Radiology Technology School at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. It was there, in 1982, that Jan met the love of her life, David Preston Rogers. While Jan was studying Radiology Technology, Dave was working on staff as a transporter. Their connection was instant and their courtship blossomed into a serious relationship. Jan completed her professional studies at St. Luke’s Hospital in 1983, the couple became engaged, and the two were married on February 25, 1984 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jan and Dave lived in Kansas City for three years, where Jan worked as a Radiologic Technologist. During that time, they welcomed their first two sons: Garrett David Rogers, born May 3, 1985, and Graham Daniel Rogers, born August 19, 1986. In 1987, the Rogers family moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they remained for three more years. Jan was a devoted stay-at-home mother and homemaker and, on March 1, 1989, she and Dave welcomed their third son, Blake Michael Rogers. Following a shift in Dave’s job, the Rogers family relocated to St. Louis, Missouri in 1990. In addition to the care she provided her boys at home, Jan also made time to be creative. She painted beautiful scenes (often as gifts for loved ones) and engaged in many intricate crafts–most notably the construction and decoration of a full-sized grandfather clock that still stands proudly in the Rogers Home today. On February 28, 1994, Jan and Dave welcomed their fourth and final son, Collin Joseph Rogers.
With their family complete, Jan and Dave were ready for a new adventure. In 1998, the Rogers family moved to their permanent home in Plainfield, Illinois. Jan redoubled her homemaking efforts, continued to care for her family, and walked in her faith by serving in the Children’s Ministry at Judson Church in Joliet, Illinois. Jan adored working with children of all ages and took her role of connecting families to Jesus seriously–an attitude she would later embody with her own grandchildren years down the road.
As her children grew up, Jan endeavored to infuse joy, creativity, and learning into their daily lives. She routinely made time to bond with her boys through playing video games, board games, and shooting hoops in the driveway. Jan engaged her son’s regularly in crafts and science experiments and was always partial to a good old-fashioned movie night, complete with carefully selected snacks. Jan was the driving force behind many memorable family outings, including to places like Six Flags, the Science and Industry Museum, and Connecticut to visit her sister, Lisa (nee Cushing) Riebe. A lifelong animal lover, Jan was also a firm believer that every kid needs a pet, which meant that the Rogers Household was also home to many creatures ranging from sets of beagles to an infamous ferret named Walter. As a mother, Jan channeled her artistic abilities into themed confections–especially intricately decorated cakes–to celebrate her family’s various milestones. She was also highly involved in her children’s schools, where she often volunteered. Jan is remembered lovingly by her sons as someone who cared for them deeply and kept life interesting with her goofy sense of humor.
Jan’s devotion to her family never wavered. She treasured the experiences of seeing each of her sons marry and she cherished the nine grandchildren that resulted from those marriages. “Grandma” was Jan’s favorite title and her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Jan loved nothing more than playing with, talking about, or shopping for her grandchildren. The walls of the Rogers Household over the last 14 years have grown to serve as a veritable shrine to them and Jan proudly wore more than a few articles of clothing that detailed those nine new loves of her life. Jan mustered up every ounce of care, fun, and Christian devotion that she provided for her own children and redoubled it in her interactions with her grandchildren. They were truly the lights of her life and she will be missed and remembered fondly by each of them.
Jan was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who had strong convictions and a passionate devotion to her faith. She was equal parts quirky and thoughtful and her unique presence has left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her best. Her family noted well that “Jan’s hands were made to care for babies, create art, give hugs, pull weeds, and hold on tightly to those she loved.” Though Jan’s earthly battle is over, the family rests in the many assurances of her love and the knowledge that Jan is home, at last, with her Lord Jesus Christ (along with all of the Rogers Family pets who undoubtedly awaited her arrival at Heaven’s gates).
Jan is survived by her devoted husband, Dave Rogers; her loving parents, Mike and Judith (nee Malkmus) Cushing; her sons, Garrett (Jennie) Rogers, Graham (Jodi) Rogers, Blake (Janine) Rogers, and Collin (Rachel) Rogers; her siblings, Steve (Cathy) Cushing and Lisa (Mark) Riebe; and her nine precious grandchildren, Annalynn, Zachariah, Jackson, Thea, Caleb, Maci, Cole, Kennedy, and Harper.
She is preceded in Heavenly Homecoming by her paternal grandparents, Michael and Lucille (nee Jackson) Cushing; and her maternal grandparents, Harry and Evelyn (nee Martin) Malkmus.
A Memorial Gathering for Janice Lynn Rogers will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Judson Baptist Church, 2800 Black Road, Joliet, Illinois. Services and interment will be held privately by the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue, 23907 W Industrial Drive N, Plainfield, Illinois, 60585 in honor of Jan’s lifelong love of animals.
For more information please call the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home at 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute page at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
