Janet Sue Colstrom

Janet S. Colstrom, 84, passed away Thursday, April 24, 2025, at KU Health System- St. Francis in Topeka.

Janet Sue Graham was born March 27, 1941, near Scranton, Kansas, the second daughter of Edward and Davenna (Harris) Graham. She grew up on a farm in “Possum Hollow”. If you asked where she was from, she would say, “Possum Holler”.

She worked very hard on the farm and took that hard work ethic all through her life. Even after retiring, she would say, “I wish I could still work”. She passed that hard work ethic on to her children.

Janet worked at Osage Manor; The Dew Drop Inn. She did home health, then was a cook at K-Bar and Marilynn’s. There were times when she had to take on extra shifts and do other odd jobs to keep the bill paid. Her very favorite job was being “Grandma Janet” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She didn’t care about hobbies but offer her a trip to the casino and she was ready.

Janet had many friends over the years, and she knew everyone. She loved to have “a cold beer with the boys”. She was mostly fun-loving and easy going, but if she didn’t like you- she would tell you!

She will be forever remembered by her daughter, Diane Colstrom of Osage City; son, David (Pam) Colstrom of Liberty, Missouri; a granddaughter, Scarlett Lowery of Emporia; grandson, Quincy (Hannah) Colstrom of Lebo; four great-grandchildren, Gideon and Amelia Lowery, Drexel and Maevyn Colstrom; her sibling, Joyce Herold of Osage City, Judy Mills of Girard, Kansas, John Graham of Osage City, Jim Graham of Vassar, and Jeanne Samsel of Waverly, and numerous nieces and nephews and also her very good friends, Dwight and Elaine Langley.

Except for all the hard work, she lived her life on her terms. She had a lot of sayings and some weren’t always appropriate. Her favorite was, “If you don’t use it, you lose it”.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and a brother, Eddie Graham.

It was Janet’s wishes to have a visitation for family and friends, Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at VanArsdale Funeral Chapel in Osage City. Family will have a private burial in the Osage City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Luke’s Lifeline Foundation or R.C.I.L and sent in care of VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. Sixth, Osage City, KS 66523. Condolences may be expressed to Vanarsdalefs.com.