Jane Elizabeth Uhlrich

Jane Elizabeth Evans Uhlrich 10/1/1944 - 8/13/2024 Jane was born to Eldred and Evelyn Evans in Wayne, Michigan on Oct 1,1944. With her parents and older brother David, the family moved to Elyria, Ohio, living there 4 years before moving to Kansas City, MO. Jane attended several years at Southeast High School before the family moved to Leewood, KS where Jane graduated. Following her graduation, Jane completed her BS degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) at KU, and later her MS degree there in 1977. Jane worked as an OT at the Rehabilitation Institute in KCMO, Joan Davis School of Special Education, Ozanam School, and Grandview School District where she was department chair of the Occupational/Physical Therapy programs before her retirement. Jane met her husband Francis E. Uhlrich, known to friends and family as “Butch”, at KU during her undergraduate years. Butch served in the US army for 3 years with a tour of duty in Germany, and Jane had the opportunity to visit him there. They were married on March 11,1967 at Broadway Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO. After moving to Lee’s Summit, MO, they adopted David James, “DJ”, who passed at an early age. Later Butch and Jane adopted son Ben who they raised together until Butch passed in 2001. Jane had a big heart and later adopted a second son, Kodie, who has been living with her. During her school years, Jane’s short stature did not hinder her from active participation in many extra-curricular activities, including drama and chorus. She was a life-long enthusiast for learning, loved reading on many topics, watched educational programs, took road trips to CO, visited family in Buffalo, traveled to China and Mexico, and was always interested in broadening her knowledge. She kept up ties with family and friends through phone calls and handwritten letters, sometimes now viewed as a lost art. She and Butch both loved to cook and Jane made sure their meals were healthy. She supported Butch’s hobby of raising show pigeons, as well as her son Ben’s horseback riding pursuits. Living in a rural part of Lee’s Summit for many years, at one time they owned 2 horses. Kodie joined a video game group and it was important to Jane that he participate with his friends. It was always her goal to provide experiential and social opportunities for her family. Jane enjoyed social gatherings and was part of a weekly game group with several friends. She was also a member, and at one time an officer, of a local PEO chapter, a women's educational and philanthropic organization. She will be deeply missed by family and her many friends. Jane is survived by sons Ben and Kodie, granddaughter Morgan, brother David Evans, nieces Elizabeth Evans and Bridget Evans, and her children Juliana and Philip Evans. Celebration of life will be held from 2:00 - 4:00, on Tuesday, October 1st, at the Lee’s Summit VFW Hall, 329 SE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. Donations in memory of Jane may be made to the VFW Hall.

Jane Elizabeth Uhlrich

October 1, 1944 - August 13, 2024