JoAnne Vonderbrink
February 9, 1940 ~ October 25, 2021
JoAnne (nee Brockmeier) Vonderbrink, born on February 9, 1940, to William and Rosemary (nee Rheude) Brockmeier, died on October 25, 2021, in her place of residence in Goddard, Kansas.
JoAnne was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, one of two girls. Growing up, her beloved uncle, Robert Brockmeier, lived with them, and they were a wonderful family. After high school, she attended nursing school where she became an RN, and worked in general surgery for a while. While in nursing school, she met her soulmate and soon-to-be husband, E. Thomas Vonderbrink, and they were quickly married on February 10, 1962, the day after her 22nd birthday. From this union, four children were born.
In 1978, the family relocated to Winfield, Kansas, and the two quickly became Kansans. It was shortly after that, JoAnne’s true-life calling came to fruition. While working for a local doctor and raising four children, JoAnne saw a need arise after her father died from cancer, she helped start the first hospice care, Cowley County Hospice, which then merged with Harry Hynes Hospice.
JoAnne became deeply involved with her grief ministry, and, in 1991, the couple relocated to Wichita, Kansas. There they became very active in their church, St. Thomas Aquinas, where JoAnne began the church’s grief ministry and helped with funeral planning for the church. She also continued volunteering at Harry Hynes Hospice with Tom, for many, many years.
JoAnne was well-known for her kindness, generosity, openness, and her easy ability to put anyone in any situation at ease. She rarely knew a stranger and was always willing to help those in need. But JoAnne’s greatest love of all was her family. She was at her best when surrounded by her four children, their friends, and eventually grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. JoAnne and Tom were well known for providing safe spaces, hot dogs and hamburgers to friends in “need”, and pizza on a Friday night in a small town with little to do. JoAnne and her sister shared an amazing bond and were often known to buy the same clothes and accessories from across the miles, showing up dressed the same way to family gatherings.
In March of 2019, Tom, JoAnne’s dearly beloved husband of 57 years died, after which she began an onset into dementia. Although she struggled mentally, she continued to be kind and loving, beautiful traits for which she was known. Many people responsible for caring for her came and shared their love with her family in the last week of her life.
JoAnne is survived by her sister, Lorayne (Bill) Schaefer of Cincinnati, OH; sister-in-law, Sally Vonderbrink, also of Cincinnati, OH; daughters, Amy Brugman of Wichita, KS, and Anne (Randy) Reeves of Sachse, TX; sons, John (Jeannie) Vonderbrink of Eudora, KS, and Tim (Margaret) Vonderbrink of Shawnee, KS; 14 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Rosemary Brockmeier; infant twin sisters; her beloved husband, Tom; her son-in-law, Don; and her uncle, Bob.
JoAnne will be dearly missed, and forever loved.
The family would like to thank all the staff of the Memory Haven unit of Dove Estates, and two special people from her first apartment home for all of the tender, loving care they provided to our mother, especially in the height of the virus when we were unable to be with her. They kept her going and loved her the way we would. Our hearts are forever grateful.
Rosary will be at 5:30 pm, Thursday, October 28, 2021; Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Friday, October 29, 2021, both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.
A memorial has been established with: Dove Estates Memory Haven, 1500 S. 183rd St. W., Goddard, KS 67052.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.
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I am so sorry to hear about your family’s loss. The last few months must have been very difficult for you. Prayers for God’s healing grace to help you as you move forward with your lives. God bless you all.