Joan Lydia Reschke Jurgensmeier, 96, of Salina KS, passed away December 18, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. Joan was born on March 24, 1929, in Preston NE, of Sophie Santos and William Reschke. The family moved to Fairview KS in 1944, where she graduated from Fairview High School in 1947. Joan attended Emporia Teacher College and taught for two years at New Hope School, rural Sabetha KS.
She married Eugene John Jurgenmeier in 1949. Joan was preceded in death by Gene, her parents, five brothers and two sisters, a grandson, Alan, and a great granddaughter, Emma. Joan is survived by seven children Kathy (Dick) Merritt of Salina, John (Terri) of San Jose CA, Stephen (Sherry) of Manhattan, Charles (Kris), Bennington, James (Christie) Salina, Karen Salina, and Patrick (Diana) of Fairview; nine grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.
Joan and Gene farmed in the Fairview area before retiring to Hiawatha. She was an active member of St. Augustine Catholic Church in Fidelity during their married life as a member of the Ladies' Altar Society and other volunteer positions. Joan was a member of the Fairview VFW and American Legion Auxiliaries, the BPOE Elks and The Grey Ladies of Hiawatha.
Joan was also an active member of St. Ann's in Hiawatha and St. Elizabeth's in Salina giving much of her time and talents to those communities. Joan never had an empty table and will be remembered for her talent as a baker, especially of breads and pies. She enjoyed flowers, gardening and her worldwide travels, but felt most fulfilled when she was with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
In lieu of flowers, Joan asked that donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or Children's Mercy Hospital of Kansas City.
Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church in the Fidelity Community, south of Sabetha, at 12 noon Monday, December 22. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Parish rosary will be recited at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 21, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Salina.