Joan Edith House

A mother’s love and hugs last long after she lets go.

Joan (Carey) House let go of her earthly life on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

Joan’s life began in 1931 on a farm outside of Valley Center, Kansas. She extended her learning and attended Friend’s University. In 1953, Joan proudly joined the Navy and served our country in Corpus Christi, Texas. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee and started her family in 1956.

Moving back to Kansas, Joan began her career as a dedicated teacher – While teaching full-time, she also continued her own education at Wichita State University (WSU) and obtained her Masters of Education. Forty years as an educator, brought her teaching honors and the respect of her peers and her students. Following her retirement, Joan volunteered her time and taught immigrants English and American History to help them pass their national and civics tests to become United States’ citizens.

In retirement, Joan also volunteered her time with the Big Brothers’/Big Sisters’ program. A life-long learner, she continued to expand her knowledge by taking classes at WSU, where she even learned to play golf and improved her bowling skills – she loved bowling and playing golf with her nieces and nephews. Joan even kept the scorecards (with notes) to remember these outings. She traveled around the country with her friends. Her political science classes at WSU gave her a great interest in politics and current events. It was nothing for Joan to send her opinions to the Wichita newspaper or to contact a reporter if she had thoughts on their news report.

Joan lived a full life, constantly pursing greater knowledge, challenging herself, and ultimately becoming a role model for “living” a full life. She enjoyed sharing her life with her family and loved watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren grow.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Theresa (Teri) House; her son, George (Rocky) House III; daughter, Kimberly House; granddaughter, Jessi Wilk; and grandson, Nicholas Jones. Missing out on getting to know their GG better are her great-granddaughters, Jane Wilk, Annie Wilk, and Sailor Jones. She’s also survived by multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Joan is preceded in passing by her parents, Walter and Jesse Carey; siblings, Carol (Carey) Smith, Doris (Carey) Bretz, and Lester Carey.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at The First United Methodist Church, 560 North Park Avenue, Valley Center, Kansas, followed by burial at Sunnydale Park Cemetery, 10365 North Hydraulic Avenue, Valley Center, Kansas.

“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” – Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

“Death is more universal than life; everyone dies, but not everyone lives.” – Alan Sachs

Joan LIVED her life.

Thank you to the staff at Brookdale East Wichita for the love and care they provided our mother over the years.

Thank you to Good Shepard for helping our mother with her transition into God’s hands.