2022 Legacy Pearl Honoree
In Memoriam
Jane Pracht Lambertz was born in Wichita, Kansas in 1921. She began her love affair with all things Girl Scouts when she joined the organization in her youth. She reminisced fondly of her many scouting activities and maintained a special affection for The Girl Scout Little House. Her life epitomized the Girl Scout motto “Do a good turn daily” and was characterized by her “can do” attitude.
She graduated from St. Mary’s Cathedral High School, Wichita, and attended Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas, and University of Texas, Austin. After the United States entered WWII, Jane returned to work at Beech Aircraft as a secretary in the Administrative Offices.
She married Vern Lambertz on November 27, 1947 with whom she raised a son and two daughters, all of whom were active in scouting. Jane was a Cub Scout Pack Leader and assistant Girl Scout Leader as her children became involved.
Jane was a devout Catholic, active in the Altar Society at Church of the Magdalen. She was a member of the Delta Rho Sigma Sorority, Beta Chapter, serving as President in 1959-1960. She was President of Monican Circle, 1960-1961. In addition, Jane was a member of the National Council of Catholic Women and served on the Board of Directors at Mt. Carmel Academy.
Her passion for scouting led her to leadership activities on the Board of Directors of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council (WAGSC) from 1959-1969, serving as Cookie Sale Chair (1960-1962). Cookie Sales “topped all previous records in WAGSC” in 1960, and this trend continued each year that Jane chaired Cookie Sales.
Jane also served on the Public Relations Committee, and as Vice-President and ultimately as President of the Wichita Area Girl Scout Council in 1965-1966. A highlight of her Presidency was the visit of Lady Olave Baden-Powell, World Chief Guide, in March 1966. During this visit, Lady Baden-Powell planted a tree at The Girl Scout Little House to commemorate her visit.