Jan Dierks Garwood

Jan Dierks Garwood, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and devoted physician, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026. Born on January 20, 1949, to John and Kathleen (Schnoor) Garwood.  Jan was raised in Hays, Kansas.

Jan was an accomplished individual from a young age, proudly earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Fort Hays State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, before pursuing his medical degree at the University of Kansas Medical School. Jan trained in family medicine and dedicated many years to serving the community as a family physician at the Nevada Medical Clinic in Nevada, Missouri.

Jan is survived by his beloved wife, Edna Happ; his sister, Shelley Hardin (Creighton Hardin); his children, Anna Wallace (Ryan Wallace) of St Louis, Jesse Garwood of Denver, Colorado, and Sarah Garwood Kayser (Jason Kayser); and his grandchildren, Ava Kayser, Lila Kayser, Vivian Kayser, Iris Wallace, and Ray Wallace, and by stepchildren Jon Thurman (Abby), Ryan Thurman (Becky) and their families, and step grandchildren Drew and Levi Phillips, Chandler, Adelyn, Isla and Henry Thurman.

An avid outdoorsman, Jan found great pleasure in being out in a bass boat and bird hunting in the grasslands of Missouri and Kansas. He loved hiking, canoeing, and camping, and he also enjoyed scuba diving. He was a self-taught mechanic and loved having a truck to “fix up”. He was a sports fan, especially loyal to the Chiefs and Jayhawks. In recent years, Jan and his wife Edna shared a passion for sightseeing and traveling together. He was an active member of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Nixa, Missouri.

Jan had a profound appreciation for history, politics, and reading, always eager to expand his knowledge and engage in meaningful discussions.

Jan's legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. 

A Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at St Francis of Assisi church in Nixa, Missouri to celebrate Jan's life. Reverend Vineesh Jose Tharayil, OSB, PhD will be officiating the Memorial Mass.  

Visitation will precede the Memorial Service at 10:00 a.m.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.

May he rest in peace.