Joan M. Van Boening

Van Boening, Joan M.. 91, passed away Tuesday, March 18th, 2025.  She was born on September 9, 1933 to Virgil and Ramona Gerten in Roseland, Nebraska.

After high school, Joan worked as a telephone operator in Hastings, Nebraska.  In April 1952 she married Robert Van Boening in Campbell, Nebraska.  She followed him to Naval bases from Jacksonville, Florida to Whidbey Island, Washington before they settled down to farm in Nebraska.  In 1958 they moved to Derby, Kansas and established their home.  After raising her own and some extended family, Joan became the owner of Van's Laundry and Dry Cleaning in Derby for many years.

Joan gave considerable time to St. Mary's Catholic Church and Altar Society, using her baking talents as needed for fundraising activities including classrooms, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Veteran’s groups and other charities.  After she raised her family, she volunteered at the Robert J Dole VA Center and Anthony Family Shelter.  She was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary, serving in Leadership roles in Post 408.

Although she greatly enjoyed sharing her time and talents with others, her greatest joy was her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  She instilled in her children the importance of faith and family, which she considered inseparable. She was a Mother Extraordinaire to her children and extended family  Joan opened her home and heart to anyone who needed a place of refuge.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert, her parents and all eight of her siblings, son-in-law Roy Mansch, and daughter-in-law Francene Van Boening.

She is survived by her sons Curt (Dee) of Wichita, Mark of Oxford, MS, Bruce of Derby, and Matt (Misty) of Haysville;  her daughters Debra Mansch of Belle Plaine, Lora Hon of Wichita, Amy (Randy) Miera and Mary (Doug) Martes of El Segundo, CA, Dara (Shawn) Schoenthaler of Douglass;  25 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, three great great grandchildren; sisters in law Rosella (Bud) Harifeld of Blue Hill, NE, Kathy Gerten of Burwell, NE, Darlene Gerten of Oklahoma City, OK, and Nancy Gerten of Fallon, NV; brothers in law Terry Masters of Joliet, IL and Gerhardt Meyer of Kearney, NE, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.

Rosary is at 7:00 pm on Sunday, March 23 and Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 am Monday, March 24 2025, both at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 525 E. Main St., Mulvane, Kansas 67110.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church or American Legion Auxiliary Post 408, 120 E. Washington, Derby, Kansas 67037.