Joan Wheatley 1924-2021
Lida Joan Wheatley, 96, a longtime resident of Holton, died on May 20, 2021, at The Pines in Holton.
Joan was born on Oct. 29, 1924, near Idana, the daughter of James Warren and Carrie Mary (Carpenter) Isensee. She graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1943. Soon after, with World War II casualties mounting, Joan volunteered for the U.S. Army Cadet nursing program at Jane C. Stormont Hospital in Topeka, graduating in 1947.
On Easter morning, April 17, 1949, Joan married her true love, Dr. Joseph S. Wheatley, at her parents’ residence in Idana. In 1955, Joan and Joseph welcomed Pamela Jo and soon after, the Wheatleys settled in South Chicago, where Joan worked alongside her husband at their veterinary clinic, The Excanaba Animal Hospital. In 1958, they welcomed their second child, Michael Joseph.
After the untimely death of her husband in 1968, Joan moved with her two children to Holton to be near her sister, Margaret Eubanks.
In 1991, Joann experienced a tremendous joy when her daughter gave birth to her granddaughter, Emily Joann Lutz. Joan dedicated her remaining years to her children, grandchild, relatives, friends, community and faith. Joan will be remembered as a loving, cheerful and thoughtful presence that exemplified the true meaning of being a Christian.
She was also preceded in death by her parents and sister and brother in-law, Margaret (Isensee) and Roger Eubanks.
Survivors include a daughter, Pamela J. Wheatley-Lutz and husband Sterling Waggener of Topeka; a son, Michael J. Wheatley and wife Pamela Ann of Barrington, Ill.; a granddaughter, Emily Lutz of Manhattan; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 27 at the Idana Cemetery in Idana. There will be no visitation.
Memorial contributions may be made to Big Lakes Developmental Center, sent in care of Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home, 918 Seventh St., Clay Center, KS 67432. Online condolences may be sent to www.nsrfh.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
