Jane Mills

Jane was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on October 10, 1940, to Louis Alex LeBatard and Agnes Mae (Murray) LeBatard. She attended Biloxi High School but did not graduate. At 16 years old, she married the love of her life, Melvin Mills. Later in life, she earned her GED and never stopped learning.

She attended Floral Design School in Lawrence, KS, became a florist, and eventually owned Forsythe Posie Patch in Forsyth, MO. Jane was also a member of the League of Business and Professional Women in Forsyth.

A devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jane served in many roles, including counselor in the Relief Society, Young Women’s President, and Primary teacher.

Jane was an avid reader who especially loved mysteries. Her favorite author was Agatha Christie, and she read every book she published. She also enjoyed reading about archaeology, anthropology, Native American history, and the Aztec and Inca civilizations.

Jane was creative and talented. She enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, beading, and quilting. She made baby blankets for all the new mothers at church and hundreds of hats for the homeless and for children at Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Jane was kind, generous, and fun-loving. But most of all, she loved her family. She loved her daughter Kimberly with all her heart and lit up whenever her grandsons would stop by to play games with her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings—Louis Jr., Jacky Ray, Brenda Jane, and Francis Pauline; and her beloved husband, Melvin L. Mills.

Jane is survived by her daughter, Kimberly Jane Buck of Superior, WI; two grandsons, Austin Tyler Buck of Framingham, MA, and Cameron Ryan Buck of Superior, WI; her sister, Eve H. Taylor of Olathe, KS; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jane loved the cartoon character Maxine. When her eyesight began to fail, I (Eve) would read Maxine cartoons to her—at her apartment, during rehab, and even in hospice. We would laugh together. Before she passed, Jane told me she didn’t want anyone to be sad—she wanted everyone to be happy. I was reading Maxine to her when she took her last breath.

Our family and I (Eve) would like to thank Olathe Hospice House for the care and compassion they showed Jane in her final days. They went above and beyond. I would also like to thank everyone who visited and spent time with her while she was in hospice, allowing my family and me to attend my granddaughter’s wedding in Omaha, NE.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 28, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McGilley and Frye Funeral Home, 105 E. Loula Street, Olathe, KS. Interment and a short service will take place on Thursday, May 29, at 11:00 a.m. at Leavenworth National Cemetery. All are welcome.