Joan Marie Knoll, 89, of Norton, Kansas, passed away January 30, 2023, at the Andbe Home. She was born April 14, 1933, in rural Norton County, Kansas to Harry and Ruth (Applegate) Meyers.
Joan grew up Northwest of Norton and attended rural schools and then graduated from Norton Community High School in 1950. She went on to receive her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Special Education from Fort Hays State University. Joan married Anthony Knoll on August 15, 1952, at the Maple Grove Church of the Brethren. They lived in Norton Co. and then moved to the farm northwest of Norton in April of 1955 and moved to town in 1983. She was active in the Brethren Church and First United Methodist Church after moving to town. Joan was a member of the Gideons International, serving on the state board for two years.
Joan began her teaching career in rural Graham County with 1st through 8th grade. She later taught at the Lenora elementary school prior to transferring to the Norton school district, where she taught 4th and 2nd grade as she worked toward getting her master’s degree. Upon receiving her master's, she continued teaching special education until her retirement in 1982.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Ruth Meyers; husband, Anthony; children, Teresa Haws and Ray Knoll; brothers, Jerry (Sylvia) Meyers and Richard Meyers and sister, Carol Putz. She is survived by her sons, Randy Knoll of Norton, KS and Stuart (Leigh) Knoll of San Antonio, TX; son-in-law, Richard Haws of Bartlesville, OK; granddaughters, Ashley Knoll (Emmanuel) Ekochu of Lee’s Summit, MO and Amy (Larry) Tatum of Liberty, MO; sister, Shirley (Sherman) Blocher of Lincoln, NE, and sisters-in-law, Janet Meyers of Norton, KS and Dorothy Alflin of Puyallup, WA.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 am Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, Norton. A private family burial was held at the Norton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International or the First United Methodist Church and sent in care of Plumer-Gobber Funeral Home, 215 W. Main St., Norton, KS 67654. Condolences may be left at www.plumergobber.com