S. Joanne (Taylor) Southards

Wesley and Frances (nee Ingram) Taylor and daughters Margaret “Marge” and Betty welcomed a new baby on June 26, 1931. Joanne joined the family of four in Goodland, Kansas. Eventually, the family would grow with the addition of Doris, Mary, and Sharon. Wesley and Frances farmed in the Goodland area until they moved to Burlington, Colorado where they owned and operated a diner on Main Street where the girls worked growing up and learned a strong work ethic from their father and mother.

After completing high school, Joanne moved to the Denver area to attend cosmetology school. Dining room haircuts were the norm for anyone who was in need of a trim.

Joanne eventually moved back to the Burlington area. Her youngest sister had a crush on a young man from Kirk and asked Joanne to accompany her on a “date” to see a movie. Sharon sat between Joanne and the young man, and, much to her dismay, they were holding hands behind her seat. The young man was Donald Southards. The hand-holding blossomed into a full-blown love, and Joanne and Donald were united in marriage on April 5, 1952.

Don and Joanne settled in Denver and their first daughter, Diana, was born. Eventually, they decided to move to Vernon, Colorado to farm with Henry and Alma Wiltfang. While living in Vernon, three more children were welcomed home to the family—Marvin, Imogene, and Kelvin. Joanne successfully juggled the demands of being a wife, a mother, and a farmer. Many family meals were enjoyed in the field on the tailgate of the pickup—especially during harvest.

Joanne’s diagnosis with Rheumatoid arthritis came early in her life, yet it did not define how she would live. There were good days and not so good days, yet Joanne always moved forward and never let the arthritis take over. She worked hard to overcome the effects of the disease. She raised four strong-willed children, planted a huge garden, maintained a beautiful yard, canned vegetables, sewed clothing, worked next to Don on the farm, and created hand-quilted works of art.

Every fall, Joanne could be found in the beet field with Don. She was known as one of the first women to drive a sugar beet truck. When anyone saw the bright red International coming down the road, they knew Joanne was at the wheel. She could out-shift and out-drive most of the men on the road and enjoyed “racing” the Brueggeman boys to the Wray Beet Dump. She put many miles on the red International until Don bought her “Big Blue”—a brand new GMC truck. Every new vehicle needs a dent, and son-in-law, John Garske, promptly provided one. Joanne groaned on the inside but smiled (eventually) while the door was tied shut to finish the beet season that year.

Joanne was active in the Lutheran Church—first at St. John’s in Vernon and then at Calvary in Wray. She taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and looked forward to weekly bible studies at the church.

Some of her happiest times were with her family. She loved her children and worked hard to ensure each had what they needed to be successful. Joanne especially looked forward to the holidays when “all of the kids” would be home. Even though money was tight, she stretched each penny into a dollar.

Every summer she maintained the farm yard with multiple flower beds and a large garden that provided her everything she needed to can enough vegetables, fruit, jelly, and jam to get the family through the winter months. She taught the kids how to weed the flowerbeds and garden. When it was hot in the summer, her idea of good time was to get everyone out at the crack of dawn to weed “while it is not so hot out.”

Each spring, Joanne would order 100 – 150 chicks that she would start in the brooder house. The chicks would grow to roasters by early August—just in time for the heat of the summer! The family would spend many days dressing chickens so they had good chicken for the rest of the year. While it was much appreciated during the winter, fresh chicken was the last thing that sounded appetizing on the “dressing” days.

While the yard and garden kept her busy during the summer, the winter months would find Joanne in the living room with a number of other community ladies quilting. Over the years, Joanne hand-quilted numerous quilts. Some she kept; others were gifts. Once she had the quilt sewn together, Don would mark the pattern for her. She spent many happy days hosting a quilting bee while visiting and catching up on the local gossip. Joanne’s quilts grace the homes of her children, grandchildren, and friends.

She and Don enjoyed dancing and playing cards. They were members of Bustles and Beaus square dance club and had many fun-filled evenings dancing at the round house in Wray. They also belonged to a bridge club that got together during the winters. The house would be filled with laughter as friends shared time together enjoying each other’s company.

Don and Jo were proud of their children and were equally proud of the to be a part of the lives of their sons and daughters-in-law. Jo enjoyed spending time with and loved each new addition. Over the years, John Garske (1972), Vicky Wisdom (1974), Jim May (1981), and Sara Loomans (1992) were added to the family. She treated each of her children’s spouses as her own as she demonstrated regularly by putting them to work around the house—“‘ Insert Name,’ can you do me a quick favor ?” was heard every time the family was together. She was also famous for her early Saturday morning calls that began with, “ Did I wake you up? ”

With each marriage came the excitement and anticipation of grandchildren. Joanne enjoyed spending time with the next generation and tried to be the best grandmother possible to Daniel, Beth, Matthew, Jessica, Andrew, Alissa, and Adelle. Her joy was further compounded with the birth of great-grandchildren—Isaac, Terek, Hallie, Addison, Logan, Ryan, Lisa, Molly, Madison, Taylor, and Luke.

She led water aerobic classes at the WRAC, baby sat her grandchildren and other children, and volunteered to read at the grade school. After Don’s death in 1998, she volunteered at the Hospice of the Planes for several years as a way to pay forward the kindness shown during his illness. To many, she will always be known simply as “Grandma Jo.”

Joanne’s quick wit, smirky smile, and kind heart won many friends and put her in the good graces of caregivers at Hillcrest and the hospital. To them we are eternally grateful. The staff at Hillcrest Care Center Timeless Meadows was kind and respectful even when her memory would fail. They loved her as one of their own.

Joanne won the battle in the early morning hours of July 15, 2018. While her family mourns her passing, they also are joyful she is now in the arms of her Lord and Savior and is free of the body that trapped her for so many years.

Many will miss her including:

• Children
  • Diana and John Garske (Seward, NE),
  • Marvin and Vicky Southards (Wray, CO),
  • Imogene and Jim May (Stratton, CO), and
  • Kelvin and Sara Southards (Castle Rock, CO).
• Grandchildren and great grandchildren
  • Daniel and Rachel (nee Davison) Southards (Wray, CO) and children Isaac, Terek, Hallie;
  • Beth and Jason Law (Tulsa, OK) and children Addison and Logan;
  • Matthew and Jennifer (nee Drawbridge) May (Stratton, CO) and children Ryan, Lisa, Molly and Madison;
  • Jessica and Darth Lenz (O’Neill, NE) and children Taylor and Luke;
  • Andrew and Olivia (nee Konert) Garske (Seward, NE);
  • Alissa and Derreck Almeida (Houston, TX);
  • Adelle Garske and fiancé Matt Prado (Houston, TX).
• Sisters/Sister-in-law
  • Betty (nee Taylor) Aschebrock,
  • Sharon (nee Taylor) DeKruif,
  • Sister-in-law Elizabeth (nee Southards) Welp

Numerous nieces, nephews, and friends also survive her passing.

Those who precede her are:

• Husband, Donald (1998)

• Parents, Wesley and Frances Taylor
• Siblings and their spouses:
  • Margaret and Orville Brammeier,
  • Keith Aschebrock,
  • Doris Greene,
  • Mary Jane and Lyle Boyer.

• Donald’s siblings and spouses:
  • Myrtle and Fred Wilmot,
  • Samuel and Florence Southards,
  • Wilbert Welp,
  • Charley and Ann Southards,
  • Beulah and “Mick” Howlett,
  • Eulah and Roy Baugher,
  • Elendor and Howard Bigelow,
  • Louise and Gaylord Stevens,
  • Irvin and Alice Southards.

A Receiving of Family & Friends was held Friday, July 20, 2018, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray, Colorado. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 21, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Wray, Colorado with Pastor Tim Davis officiating. Interment was held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado following services. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Plains, P.O. Box 365, Wray, Colorado 80758. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.