Janis Rae Santoro

Janis Rae Santoro passed away peacefully at home on November 6, 2024, surrounded by her family. Born on May 27, 1957, in Madison, Nebraska, Jan was the youngest child of Bob and Deloris Zessin and grew up alongside her older sister, Judy, and brother, Jeff. She grew up on a farm west of Madison, was an organist at Trinity Lutheran Church, and spent weekends cheering on the Madison Dragons.

After graduating from Madison High School in 1975, Jan moved to Fremont and attended Midland University for a year and soon after moved to Omaha to work as an assistant to the President of Valmont Industries. Jan drove to Kansas City with a friend for a weekend of fun where she met new friends that would introduce her to her future husband, Pete. She moved to Kansas City and the two married in Madison in 1980. She embraced Pete’s two children, Angela and Tony, and welcomed her daughter, Katie, in 1985 and son, Marcus, in 1989.

Jan completed her nursing degree at Penn Valley in 1985 at the top of her class and worked night shifts during the kid’s early years. Once Katie and Marcus were school-age, she shifted to roles close to their lives—working as a school nurse, librarian, and at the St. Peter’s Rectory, all while supporting Pete’s family business. Kids of all ages always gravitated towards Jan. Her home was constantly filled with laughter and friends, and she was known for creating enchanting childhood memories with her elaborate, homemade birthday parties.

Jan brought people together through her cooking and loved nothing more than a house full of family and friends. She found immense joy playing the piano and organ for the St. Peter’s Christmas pageant each year and, alongside Pete, coached the St. Peter’s track team for nearly a decade, establishing a legacy and camaraderie that is still talked about to this day.

A sharp mind and a true lover of fun, Jan loved game shows like The Price is Right and $100,000 Pyramid, which allowed her to show off her intelligence and remarkable luck. She successfully ran the black jack tables every time she went to the Boat and loved placing bets on sports games with her family. But her favorite time of year was Christmas, a season she celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm. For nearly 40 years, she upheld family traditions with dedication, often starting her Christmas shopping on January 1. Nothing delighted her more than the sight of her children and grandchildren surrounded by presents, each year more magical than the last.

Jan’s family will deeply miss her famous chocolate chip cookies, her homemade Chex mix, and her frequent texts with football season betting advice. They will hold close the memory of storm-watching on the back porch and cherish her quick witted quips that brought laughter and eye rolls to everyday life. Jan’s desire to live big and her unique thoughtfulness will remain a beacon in the lives of all who knew her.

Jan is survived by her sister, Judy; brother, Jeff; devoted husband, Pete; dog, Charli; her children, Angela (Mike), Tony (Lisa), Katie (Zach), and Marcus; and her 8 grandchildren: Korbyn, Khiley, Emma, Noah, Ethan, Ada, Hank and Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Children's Mercy of Kansas City or the Nebraska Cornhuskers NIL Collective.

A visitation will begin at 10am, followed by a memorial service at 11am on Thursday, November 14 at McGilley State Line Chapel.