JoAnn Helen Martin

JoAnn Helen Martin, 87, of Zurich, passed away May 9, 2024, at Sheridan County Long Term Unit in Hoxie.  

She was born December 1, 1936, to John Ploeger and Amelia (Wasinger) Ploeger at the family farm outside Studley, Kansas. She spent her childhood with her twin sister, Leona, and four other sisters. 

On 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 lives in the Studley and Hoxie area. JoAnn worked various jobs, including the couple’s BJ Cleaning business and 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, and 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 of her pieces 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 St. Anne’s Catholic Church member 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.

She 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 p.m., at St. Joseph Church in Damar. Wake is Monday, May 13, 2024, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Joseph Church in Damar, Kansas.

Funeral Service is Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Joseph Church in Damar. Burial will be Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at St. Frances Cabrini Cemetery in Hoxie.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1 Damar, Kansas 67632.

Stinemetz Funeral Home in Hill City is in charge of funeral arrangements.