Janet Gayle Gisel, 81, passed away October 26, 2026, at Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community, Buhler, Kansas.

Janet Yehle was born April 13, 1945, in Hutchinson, Kansas, to John and Zona (Johnson) Yehle. She was number 10 of 11 children born to John and Zona, who had eight girls and three boys. Jan had countless stories of life in their busy household. She was close to her siblings and was always thankful for her older sisters’ help in raising her. Jan was especially close to her sister and best friend, Lynne, and they shared an unbreakable bond throughout her entire life. The family moved frequently, following their father as he sought work in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. As a young girl, Jan was known for her sweet countenance and kind and loving spirit. She always loved a fashionable outfit as a youngster, and listening to Patsy Cline songs.

The family eventually settled back in Hutchinson, Kansas, where Jan graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1963. Soon after she married Ron Watson, and they welcomed two children, Angela in 1967 and Darren in 1970. Jan began her career at Pegues Department Store in downtown Hutch and eventually became Buyer for the kitchen, bed & bath department. She was a very creative lady who was mentored by good friends who helped her hone her talents. Jan went on to manage the retail store Main Street at the Mall where she enjoyed her dear friends as coworkers and together, they created fabulous retail displays for the citizens of Hutchinson to shop from.

On December 6, 1986, Jan married Richard Gisel in Hutchinson, Kansas. Jan and Dick enjoyed a rich and wonderful marriage of nearly 40 years filled with many shared interests and activities. First and foremost, the couple were fabulous supporters of their blended family of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Jan’s family was her pride and joy; evidenced by bookshelves brimming with generations of family pictures which she treasured. Jan loved to decorate a house and turn it into the most comfortable home. All their children will cherish the memories made there. Jan and Dick raised watermelon, cantaloupe, and pumpkins as well as vegetables which they sold at their home farmstand and the local Farmers Market. Jan always greeted her customers with a smile and enjoyed chats on the driveway. She and Dick were avid antiques enthusiasts and together they loved to travel and hunt for treasures at estate sales and antique shops. Jan took pride in showcasing her husband’s woodworking projects, and loved to share her home stylings with family and friends.

Jan was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hutchinson, where she participated in Ladies Circle Groups and also volunteered in the church clothes closet. Her faith was always a source of strength and comfort to her and she dearly loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jan was a devoted wife to Dick, a loving mother to all her children, and had great pride in her grandchildren. Her growing family was the most important thing in her life.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Johnny, and sisters Jewel, Joyce, LaFaun, Shirley, Marilyn, and Beverly, and extended family.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Gisel; her daughter, Angela Seymour, her son, Darren (Shelly) Watson, her stepdaughters, Traci Gisel Neely, Gail (Brad) Dinwiddie, Lynette (Jeff) Miller; her grandchildren, Tanner (Loriann) Seymour, Trevor Seymour, Torrey (Brett) Whitis, Logan and Luke Watson, Reagan Neely, Bridgett (Jonathon) Dick, Spencer Bingham, Paige (Kevin) Marks, Morgan Miller; her great-grandchildren, Landry Seymour, Ophelia Ford, Sage and John Dick, Addilyn Sneddeker, and Evie, Piper, and Theo Marks; her brothers Ray (Carol) and Bill Yehle, and sister, Lynne (Cecil) Walborn.

Memorial service will be 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2026, at Elliott Chapel, with Rev. Mik King officiating. Inurnment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson, Kansas.

The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking the following link: click here to view the service.

Friends may sign her memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday thru Friday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends beginning one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Care Hospice, McPherson, Kansas, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.