Joanne Behrends

Joanne C. Abram was born on Dec. 10, 1944, in Emporia, Kansas, the first of four daughters to Harold and Doris Wilson Abram. She died Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas, at the age of 79.

Because of her father serving in the Third Army under General Patton, Joanne lived her young life with her mom and other family members in Hartford, Kansas, and Minot, North Dakota. Joanne first met her father when she was 10 months old. After her father was discharged from the military, the family made their home on a farm near Randall, Kansas.

Joanne and her sisters were close growing up. The girls enjoyed dressing up their kittens and cats in doll clothes and pushing them in the baby buggy on the front porch. Often the girls rode their bikes to visit special neighbor friends, the McCollough family. On one occasion, Joanne and sister Jackie rode their bikes to another neighbors' house to watch Saturday cartoons since they did not yet own a television. Joanne was also active in 4-H growing up.

Joanne graduated from Randall Rural High School in May of 1962. Upon graduation, Joanne attended beauty school in Salina, Kansas, graduating in November of 1962.

On Dec. 30, 1962, Joanne married Larry Behrends, and they made their home on a farm east of Randall. Shortly after, three children were added to the family : Jana, Joey and Janelle. While raising her young children, Joanne worked as a beautician, going into the homes of elderly women in Randall and setting their hair. Joanne later worked at the 24/66 restaurant in Beloit for two years before starting her career as a school cook at the Jewell Elementary School in 1983. Their farm was also often a gathering place for family dinners during this time.

In 1985, Joanne and Larry moved to Jewell, Kansas. Joanne said her favorite part of her school cook years was seeing the students every day and watching them grow up. Joanne made a birthday card for each child at school and would hand out the cards as students pass through the lunchline, making them feel special. Joanne retired from the head cook position at Jewell High School in 2007 after 24 years of service. To this day, many of her former school lunch children talk about the delicious homemade meals she served and how much they enjoyed her cooking. Additionally, Joanne's house in Jewell was a popular trick-or-treating spot, where often more than a hundred children would visit to receive her homemade popcorn balls.

After retirement, Joanne was devoted to her six grandchildren. She spent quality time with all her grandchildren and enjoyed having them over to bake, color Easter eggs or play games. Joanne rarely missed a school activity her children or grandchildren were involved in. She was also actively involved in church most of her life, teaching Sunday school classes to primary students. In her free time, she enjoyed playing a game of cribbage each night after dinner with Larry. Joanne also enjoyed playing cards in card clubs.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents.

Joanne is survived by husband, Larry; daughter, Jana Black and husband, Donny of Kansas City, Missouri; son, Joey Behrends and wife, Stacy of Beloit; daughter, Janelle Budke and husband, Raymond of Beloit; her grandchildren: Austin Budke and wife, Bailey; Brady Budke; Remi Clark and husband, Ty; Colin Budke; Carly Budke and Konnor Penning; Reid Behrends and Enyli Alvarado; great-grandchildren Asa and Albie Budke and Truette Clark; sisters: Jackie Scharpen; Juanita Whitlow and husband, Stan; and Jill Ramsey and husband, Mike.

Her funeral was at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Beloit First Christian Church. Memorials may be given to Solomon Valley Hospice or the Resident Care Center. Roberts Family Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left at http://www.robertsfamilyfs.com