Janice Rittershouse-Ksara passed away on November 4, 2023 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO. She was born June 27, 1939 to Paul and Bertie Rittershouse and was a sister to two brothers, Paul and Billy Ward, who preceded her in death.  She was among the first graduating class from Parkview High School in 1957.  Janice was a proud alumna of the University of Arkansas, where she earned her master's degree in psychology and was an active member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.  While attending University of Arkansas, she met the love of her life, Ed Ksara, whom she married on July 1, 1961 in Springfield, MO.  Their honeymoon lasted six short weeks, as her husband was in the United States Marine Corp and was under orders for deployment to Japan. Ed flew west, while Janice went back to Fayetteville and completed her master's in psychology. After a year, they were reunited at Camp Pendleton, CA, but shortly after Ed was deployed for the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ed left the service in 1964 and they returned to Missouri.  They were married for 62 wonderful years and had three daughters, Kirsten Reilly, Ellen Lambert, and Elaine Moore.  Janice is also survived by her grandchildren, whom she loved very much: Erin Reilly, Becky Reilly, Molly Reilly, Samuel Lambert, Joshua Lambert, Zachary Lambert, Jacob Lambert, Ryan Moore, and Sam Moore.

Janice lived a life in the service of others. She worked with the Missouri Division of Day Care Licensing until her retirement in 2002. In retirement her passions were her grandchildren, University Heights Baptist Church, book club, and traveling the world with family and friends. She loved to spend time with her family, whether that was on their annual beach trip to Florida with the James Yarbrough family, at Silver Dollar City in Branson, or simply playing a game of Rummikub at home.  She made friends wherever she went and will be missed by those that knew her.

Memorial services will be Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 1:30 PM at University Heights Baptist Church.