Janet Hobbs Kappes, 75, of Morehead, Ky., retired elementary school teacher and mother of eight, died Thursday evening, June 2, 2022, at St. Claire Regional Medical Center following a courageous battle with several medical issues.
She was born May 29, 1947, in Ogden, Utah, the beloved daughter of Raymond Malan Hobbs and the late Lois Crosbie Hobbs. She married Keith Kappes, on July 3, 1971 and cherished her eternal marriage with him for nearly 51 years.
Janet is survived by three daughters: Kelsee (Jason) Purdy of Jeffersonville; Kourtney (Kris) Watson of Morehead and Kally (Kris) Barnett of Morehead; five sons, Kolby (Danielle) Kappes of New Albany, Ohio; Kirby (Kristin) Kappes of Morehead, Kenley (Drema) Kappes of Hillsboro, Kody Kappes of Roanoke, Va., and Kory Kappes of Cumming, Ga.
Other survivors include three sisters: Susan (Dennis) Stokes of North Ogden, Utah; Cindy (John) Higley of Preston, Idaho; Tracee (Darron) Pulsipher of Holladay, Utah; and a brother, Randy (Jan) Hobbs of Taylor, Utah; and two sisters-in-law, Laura Vincent of Ashland and Jolene Hobbs of Corrine, Utah. A brother, Bradley Raymond Hobbs, preceded her in death in 1992.
Janet adored her 18 darling grandchildren. They, along with her husband and children, were her greatest treasures. They are Samantha, Branden, Graydon and Alexandria Kappes; Haley Purdy; Savannah, Kennedy and Zachary Watson; Brady, Blake and Bryce Kappes; Tymber Cole; Harper and Scout hats; and Brody, Bentley, Braxton and Briggs Barnett.
A graduate of Ogden High School, Janet decided at an early age to become an elementary school teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Weber State University in two and a half years and a master’s degree in education (with reading emphasis) at Morehead State University.
She was a full-time teacher at the Ogden City Schools for three years, in Elliott County for one year and at Clearfield Elementary School in Rowan County for 14 years. She also served six years as a substitute teacher in Rowan County.
Janet was a gifted and dedicated teacher. She saw each student as special, with unlimited potential. She worked diligently to encourage each one to learn and grow as students and children. Her students were precious to her, often spoken of with love and admiration. She was their champion.
A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her faith was the driving force in her life. It impacted every decision she made. Her service to the Lord included numerous callings in the Owingsville Ward, as well as the Owingsville and Lexington stakes. She dedicated her life to serving her family, her church family, her community, and others in need, just as her Savior would do.
Janet gave everything to her eight spirited children. She was a patient, attentive and nurturing mother. Her actions were always selfless as she met the needs of each of them in individualized ways. Janet was deeply committed to exceptional mothering. Her supreme achievement in life was being a mother and grandmother.
Janet will be forever remembered by family and friends as a compassionate, humble, and kind person who loved children, teaching, cooking, sewing, boating, swimming, music, service to others, camping, parenting and crafting.
Her children and grandchildren described her as “faithful, a great listener, special, supportive, always brave, warm, brilliant, forgiving, creative, nurturing, consistent, sweet, organized, spiritual, family-oriented, wise, hardworking, devoted, unintimidated , honest, spontaneous, understanding, tough, fiery, selfless, dependable, caring and chosen.”
She will be desperately missed by those who knew and loved her. Janet’s life will never be replicated. Her impact will be eternal. Hers was a life fully lived.
Visitation at Northcutt and Son Home for Funerals in Morehead will be Tuesday, June 7, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service is scheduled Wednesday, June 8, at 1 p.m. at the Owingsville meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just south of I-64 Exit 121 in Owingsville. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Morehead.
Sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons will serve as pallbearers.
To perpetuate her history of providing reading books to elementary students during her teaching career, Janet’s family requests that memorial gifts in lieu of flowers should be payable to the Janet Kappes Book Fund, c/o First National Bank, 200 Viking Dr., Morehead, KY 40351, or online using Venmo @JanetKappesBookFund.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.
Published by Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals, Inc. – Morehead on Jun. 4, 2022.
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