Janet Joyce Pedersen

Janet Joyce “JJ“ Pedersen (Britanik), age 82, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at the Emporia Presbyterian Manor. JJ was born January 10, 1940 in Pennsylvania, the daughter and only child of Albert A. Britanik and Margaret Britanik (Stalmac). She graduated high school early and with honors. After being a stay at home mom with her two young daughters, JJ worked as a dental receptionist and in accounting for Sherwin Williams.

JJ loved animals her whole life - with a special fondness for horses, dogs and cats. Through the years, she rescued many strays, nursed them back to health, and found them loving “forever “homes (with at least a dozen “foster fails“ that she and her family kept). In her early years, JJ founded and operated Larkland Kennels and Wireland Kennels in Topeka, Kansas - with the family breeding, raising, training, hunting, and showing for championships, AKC registered Norwegian Elkhounds, Shetland Sheepdogs (shelties), German wirehaired pointers (Drahthaars) and Llewellyn English setters.

JJ also was an accomplished artist who enjoyed working with watercolors, oil, charcoal, and ceramics.

For more than 36 years, JJ was blessed with a large blended family from her marriage to Merrill Pedersen (surviving spouse). JJ’s blessing includes a total of 4 adult children, 12 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. JJ and Merrill loved to travel and dance, but enjoyed visiting and dining with family and friends most of all.

JJ’s light shined brightly - and it was fueled by her compassion for people and animals, sense of humor, and quick wit. If you knew her, you loved her - and “that was that” as she would say!

There will be a celebration of her life in Michigan. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, and in honor of JJ‘s love of animals, individuals may send contributions to the “Friends of the Zoo“ (sent in care of the Jones VanArsdale Funeral Home, 107 W. Sixth, Lebo, KS, 66856).