Joan Grace (Dorman) Hull, 87, Hill City, passed away Feb. 27, 2024, at Hays Medical Center. She was born July 28, 1936, to Orval and Grace (Paintin) Dorman in WaKeeney. When Joan was born, her parents were told that she would never be able to walk. Her mother rubbed her legs diligently every day. When the Kansas Crippled Children came to visit the little Dorman girl who couldn’t walk, Joan’s mother proudly stated, “You can find her outside playing!”
Music was always an important part of Joan’s life. She played the trumpet and was in the Trego County High School marching band. In 1950, while attending high school, Joan met her best friend Carolyn Flagler (Riggs). Carolyn and Joan played duets on their accordions at local talent shows. In July 1954, Joan was playing her accordion in Penokee where she met another talent show contestant, Russell Hull from Hill City. A week or two later they began dating. That fall they attended one semester together at Fort Hays State College. Joan and Russell were married on Dec. 18, 1955, at the WaKeeney Presbyterian Church. They had just recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.
Faith in God was very important to her. She was a lifelong member of the Hill City Presbyterian Church. She played the organ every Sunday and served as a member of the Session. She worked at the Farmers and Merchants Bank for over 20 years, also working for Cover Up Products, a family-owned business for 21 years.
Joan was an excellent cook! Her family always requested her fabulous fried chicken, and she was also known for her homemade cinnamon rolls. Every morning, Joan would work on a jigsaw puzzle and play solitaire on the computer. She loved spending quality time with her family and friends. Cross stitching, playing bingo, cards, board games and Pictionary were favorite pastimes. She enjoyed the Game Show Network. Books were never far away; her favorites were Harlequin romance novels, Laura Wilder and Louis L’Amour. Joan loved her flowers, especially the peonies. She was always happy to share roots with others so they, too, could enjoy the beautiful colors.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents: Orval and Grace Dorman; grandparents Guy and Lucy Dorman and James and Rosa Bella Paintin; and first-born daughter Bonnie Jo Hull. Survivors left to cherish her memory are her husband, Russell, Hill City; her children: Natalie Reynolds (husband Mike), Wichita and Linda Hull-Viera (husband Jerry), Topeka; and her grandchildren Samantha and Kathryn Viera, Topeka.
A visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, 2024, at Stinemetz Funeral Home, Hill City, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2 at Stinemetz Funeral Home with burial following in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Hill City Presbyterian Church or Dawson Place and may be sent to Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, KS 67642.