Joan Lydia Reschke Jurgensmeier, 96, of Salina, died Dec. 18, 2025, after a short battle with cancer.

Joan was born on March 24, 1929, in Preston, Neb., to Sophie Santos and William Reschke. In 1944, the family moved to Fairview, where she graduated from Fairview High School in 1947. Joan attended Emporia Teacher College and taught for two years at New Hope School, rural Sabetha.

She married Eugene John Jurgensmeier in 1949. Joan was preceded in death by Gene; her parents; five brothers and two sisters; a grandson, Alan; and a great-granddaughter, Emma.

Joan is survived by seven children, Kathy (Dick) Merritt of Salina, John (Terri) of San Jose, Calif., Stephen (Sherry) of Manhattan, Charles (Kris) of Bennington, James (Christie) of Salina, Karen of Salina, and Patrick (Diana) of Fairview; nine grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Joan asked that donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City.

Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Augustine Catholic Church in the Fidelity Community, south of Sabetha, Monday, Dec. 22. Interment followed in the Church Cemetery.

Parish rosary was recited at 3 p.m. Sunday, December 21, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Salina.

Condolences may be shared at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com.

The Sabetha Herald 12/24/2025