JoAnn VanHoesen Obituary

A Celebration of Life for JoAnn Van Hoesen, 95, Lawrence, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. A burial will follow at Prairie City Cemetery, Baldwin City, Kansas. The family will greet friends and family from 5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, at the mortuary. JoAnn passed away on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.

JoAnn was born to Marshall and Letha Churchbaugh on November 21, 1927, in Douglas County where she spent the majority of her life. She attended the Willow Springs one-room school and upon receiving a full scholarship, graduated from the Lawrence Business School in 1944.

On April 10, 1946, JoAnn was united in marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Gene Van Hoesen, in Colorado Springs. There they managed the family business, later moving to Albuquerque to own a hardware store. In 1951, they returned to Lawrence, where they spent the remainder of their 63 years together. Family and friends will remember JoAnn by her engaging personality, caring heart, and beautiful smile.

The epitome of the dedicated life partner, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, JoAnn was the quintessential "people person". She was an accomplished gardener, world traveler, and possessed outstanding culinary and hosting skills. She loved music, theater, and the Jayhawks. For over 30 years, she and Gene hosted KU international students many of whom remained an active part of her life. Over the decades, she volunteered for many local organizations including PTA, Boy and Girl Scouts, Farmland Auxiliary, Lawrence Memorial Auxiliary, and the Kaw Valley Blue Bird Association. JoAnn was employed in various garden centers in Lawrence including the Garden Land, Clinton Parkway Nursey, and Uptown Garden. JoAnn moved to Brandon Woods in 2019, where she thrived as an active resident. The family extends its gratitude to her "family and friends" for providing her with such joyful memories and happy times.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband and son-in-law, Les Harrod, JoAnn is survived by sister, Carol Smell, Ottawa, KS, brother, Ron Churchbaugh, Shawnee, KS sister in law, Marion Sullivan, St Marys, OH, son, Robert (Barbara) Van Hoesen, Tucson, AZ, daughter, Cheryl Harrod, Lawrence, KS. Four grandchildren, Matthew (Courtney) Van Hoesen Sarasota, FL, Emily (Jason) Ford, Overland Park, KS, Lee Ann Van Hoesen, Tucson, AZ, and Megan (Troy) Goff, Lawrence, KS, and six great-grandchildren.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 ~ 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made in JoAnn's name to Visiting Nurses Association or LMH Health Foundation – Volunteer Services and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.