HESSTON – Joan Gwendolyn Boyer, 80, of Hesston, Kansas, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at Schowalter Villa. She was born October 12, 1941 in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Kenneth and Margaret (Burk) Miller.

She graduated from El Dorado High School with the class of 1959. She later graduated with an Associate’s degree. Joan furthered her education in 2007, graduating from the pastoral ministries program at Hesston College.

Joan was ordained as Pastor at First Mennonite Church in Newton on March 4, 2007. She retired on August 19, 2012. Joan previously worked as administrative assistant for the superintendent at Hesston schools for over 30 years.

She was a member of Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston.

As a grandmother, Joan attended every event and concert of her grandchildren’s. She instilled a love of reading in each of them.

Joan married Carl J. Boyer on November 25, 1959 in El Dorado, Kansas. They celebrated 62 years of marriage just before she passed. Joan leaves behind her husband Carl, her two daughters, Tracey Ripperger and Marcy Key, both of Wichita; four grandchildren, Lindsay (Jaimie) Hay, Emily (Justin) Syrios, Madie (Jack) Kriwiel, and Cameron (Anna) Key; and five great-grandchildren, Evan, Emmalyn, Owen, Hallie, and baby boy on the way.

Cremation is planned with memorial services to be held at 11 a.m., Friday, December 10, 2021 at Whitestone Mennonite Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Hesston Public Library in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, PO Box 32, Hesston, Kansas 67062.