Jana Lynn (Kamphaus) Baxter

Jana Lynn Baxter of Lawn, Texas passed peacefully from this life on December 11, 2023, surrounded by her family at home. Visitation will be held at Fry-Smith Funeral Home in Tuscola, Texas from 6-8pm on Sunday, December 17, 2023. A private graveside service will be held at Dewey Cemetery on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 1:00pm.

Jana was born on November 30, 1954 in Larned, Kansas. She grew up with parents, Arnold and Pauline Kamphaus and brothers and sisters. She graduated from high school in Kinsley Kansas in 1972. In 1974, she earned her nursing degree and proudly became an LVN. Jana would prove to be a very compassionate nurse with a heart for geriatrics and serving the elderly for the next 26 years of her life.

She moved to Abilene in 1980 and in 1981, met Dennis Baxter. The two were married in 1983. In 1985, Jana added a new title to her resume. Army wife. This took the couple to Alabama, Germany, and back again to Fort Rucker in Alabama.

In 1994, the couple moved to their permanent home in Lawn, Texas where they raised their five children. Jana worked as Assistant Director of Nursing until 1998 when a car accident left her paralyzed. This incredible set-back did not stop her, though. She tenaciously fought for her mobility and eventually learned to walk again. In 2014, she began working as the City Secretary in Lawn where she was very involved with city activities and caring for its citizens.

Jana found joy in the little things in life; Watching her humming birds or the barn swallows on the porch, riding dirt roads with Dennis and the dog, visiting flea markets, collecting antiques and figurines, and loving her family. She was a proud grandmother to eight grandkids and often supported them in school and sporting events.

Jana is preceded in death by her father, Arnold Kamphaus and brother, Mike Kamphaus.
She is survived by her mother, Pauline Kamphaus, brothers Doug Stanton and wife Matisha, Kevin Kamphaus and wife Trudy, sisters, Kim Kamphaus and partner Jane, Brenda Powell and husband Thom, D'Ann Tucker and husband John, Lisa Wolfe and husband Ross, and sister-in-law LeAnn Capps. She also leaves behind five children; Jessica Baxter, Duane Tucker, Sarah Baxter, Amber Baxter, and Corey Baxter along with eight grandchildren.

Jana was very recently diagnosed with lung cancer and her unexpected death leaves behind a family who will always remember her for her compassion, her strength, her love for the Lord, and her devotion to her family and those she cared for. Jana will be dearly missed.