JoAnn Helen Martin, 87, of Zurich, Kansas, passed away May 9, 2024, at Sheridan County Long Term Unit in Hoxie, Kansas. JoAnn was born December 1, 1936, to John Ploeger and Amelia (Wasinger) Ploeger at the family farm outside of Studley, Kansas. She spent her childhood with her twin sister, Leona, as well as four other sisters. June 13, 1953, she married Robert “Bob” Martin in Studley. To this union five children were born: Roberta, John, Trela, Robert, and Stephanie.
JoAnn and Bob spent most of their life in the Studley and Hoxie area. JoAnn worked at various jobs including the couple’s BJ Cleaning business and working at area hospitals in the housekeeping/laundry department. They later moved to Plainville where she worked at a local hardware store for many years before retiring.
JoAnn was known to always be on the go relishing life. Bob and JoAnn went to many dances, especially enjoying the polkas, waltzes, and classic country tunes. Bowling was another pastime where she won many trophies. She also liked playing games of Pitch and drinking coffee with “the girls”. Playing games such as Bingo, Uno, Monopoly, Solitaire and Chicken Foot with her kids and grandkids was a special delight; and she was always known to win.
Other interests included embroidering and crocheting. Many were given to family and friends. She also donated several of her pieces to church auctions. JoAnn was also an avid Kansas City Royals fan. While watching the games, she always had a notebook full of stats on each player.
Over the years JoAnn was a faithful member of the Catholic Church wherever she lived. She was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Zurich until it was demolished. Then she became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Damar. While there she was a member of and treasurer for several years with the ladies of St. Anne Sodality.
After moving into the long-term care unit, JoAnn loved to keep busy folding the towels every morning as an activity.
JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bob, three children: Roberta Ann Martin, Robert Allen Martin and Trela Kay Minium, and three siblings: Marylou Long, Rosa Doris Horton, and Viola Scott.
She is survived by her son, John (Donna) Martin of Larned; her daughter, Stephanie (Shane) Maddox of Zurich, and two siblings: her twin sister, Leona Washburn of Hoxie, and Jeannie Stillwell of Marysville; eight grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Visitation is Monday, May 13, 2024 at 5:30 PM, at St. Joseph Church in Damar, Kansas
Wake is Monday, May 13, 2024 at 6:30pm at St. Joseph Church in Damar, Kansas
Funeral Service is Tuesday May 14, 2024 at 10:30am at St. Joseph Church in Damar, Kansas
Burial will be Tuesday May 14, 2024 at 2:00pm at St. Frances Cabrini in Hoxie, Kansas