Joan Wingerson

Joan Luree Wingerson, 89, born on Feb. 26, 1933 in Marshall County, KS, died peacefully in her home of 57 years in Topeka, KS on Sunday morning, Nov. 27, 2022, just before church.

Until then, Joan was an active member of Second Presbyterian Church for 65 years, serving as deacon & elder; enjoyed her UUAW Gourmet V cooking group, for over 45 years; continued reading books from the library each week; and cherished spending time with family and friends.

In 1955, Joan graduated from Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, with degrees in English and French. As a K-State student, she worked 3 years in the campus library. She held a life-long love of books — fiction, non-fiction, and reference.

She married Ray Alan Wingerson, now deceased, on March 1, 1955 in Marshall County, KS. For a few years, Joan taught English and French while her children were young. Then, with 4 children under 6 years of age, she joyfully devoted her life to caring for them full-time. She reveled in helping each of us children discover our unique talents and encouraged us upon our individual life path.

When Joan joined the Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) as a bookkeeping clerk in 1975, she discovered her true calling in life. Within a few years, she was appointed to a brand-new position at KAC — Touring Arts Coordinator, where she oversaw the expansion of the KAC across the state. With the new Touring Arts Program, artists and musicians were able to tour visual art exhibits and schedule concerts throughout the state. Joan took to the position like a duck to water, enjoying it until she somewhat reluctantly retired after 25 years at age 66.

Joan was an avid bird watcher. She coaxed all her children & grandchildren into finding joy in birds as well.

Perhaps Joan's greatest love in life was welcoming family and friends into her home for gatherings (during Covid, she invited guests to soirees on her front porch!). Everything from a snack to an elaborate meal would await, along with interesting conversation, good cheer and a bed for the night, if needed.

Her home served as a family base for countless, delicious meals, laughter and sharing over the many decades. Joan loved to cook, and she did this, as she undertook everything in her life, with great grace and organization.

After retiring, Joan's sphere of entertaining grew to include the entire arts family across the state of Kansas. She loved every minute of her casual yet elegant style of entertaining, which left guests deeply satisfied.

Joan was tirelessly devoted to her beloved family and friends. If anyone called, she always sat down to talk with them on the spot. Joan will be deeply missed by all her family, countless friends and professional colleagues.

Joan is survived by her son, Eric (Rene') Wingerson, Blackfoot, ID, her daughters, JoLee Wingerson, Boulder, CO, and Jill (Stan) Myers, Manhattan, KS, her son-in-law Brian Connor, Topeka, KS, her sister, Eva Lee DeShazer, Phoenix, AZ; many nieces and nephews; 5 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Claire Connor; her parents, Beulah Luree (Griffis) & Donald Marshall Winter; her brother Donald Lowell Winter; her brother-in-law, Donald Eugene DeShazer; and her great nephew, Casey Lynn Daniels.

A graveside service will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th St., Topeka, KS 66604, on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be sent to the Second Presbyterian Church, 201 NW Menninger Rd., Topeka, KS 66617 or to the Topeka Public Library, 1515 SW 10th St., Topeka, KS 66604.

Arrangements are entrusted to Penwell-Gabel Funeral Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66604.

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