Joyce Blau

Marienthal, Kansas Joyce Adele (Wonsetler) Blau, age 73, passed away following a courageous battle with melanoma cancer on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas. Joyce was born July 8, 1939 at Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Carl Jacob & Adele Earle Wonsetler and was raised on the family farm in southern Wichita County, Kansas until moving into Leoti, Kansas. Joyce was a 1957 graduate of Wichita County High School, and a 1959 graduate of Montana State College School of Nursing. On December 29, 1959 she married Charles "Chuck" Blau at the First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas. They made their first home in Logan County, Kansas, near the original Blau homestead and started life together farming and raising cattle and later moved to the Wichita County farm where they shared fifty- three years together. Joyce worked hard alongside Charlie driving trucks, combines and keeping the books for their registered cattle business. Joyce also drove a school bus for USD 467 for thirty-eight years, driving multiple generations of Wichita County students. Joyce was very dedicated to the First Baptist Church and the Wichita County 4-H programs. She served as a Baptist Youth Fellowship sponsor, Sunday school teacher and church secretary/treasurer. She volunteered as a leader for the Pleasant Valley Boosters 4-H club for twenty-six years, Wichita County Fair superintendent for dog shows and served on the Wichita County Extension Board. She was incredibly strong continuing to raise her family, working and volunteering even after complications from being struck by lightning in 1984. Joyce's surviving family includes- Her husband- Charles Blau- Marienthal, Kansas Four children- Charla & Ronald Dunn- El Dorado, Kansas Steven & Lisa Blau- Wichita, Kansas Cynthia & Mike Mills- Iliff, Colorado Trisha Blau- Fayetteville, Arkansas Seven grandchildren- Charisse Riddle , Julia Riddle, Kirsten Blau, Leslie Riddle, Kylee Blau, Sienna Dunn, Garrett Mills A sister- Mary Lee Hughes Cannady- Glenrock, Wyoming And a grand dog- Duke Thomas Blau Her parents and a half brother, Carl Wonsetler, Jr, preceded her in death. She will be fondly remembered for her precious moments collection, as an avid QVC fan and terrific listener. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 14, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas with the Reverend Gary Salmans officiating. Burial will be in Beulah Cemetery in Northern Wichita County, Kansas. Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 pm both Saturday and Sunday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Leoti, Kansas. Memorial may be given to the First Baptist Church or the Wichita County 4-H Scholarship Fund in care of the funeral home.