LARNED — Joan Coleen Josefiak died Sept. 20th at Hays, Kan. She was born July 10th, 1932, in Larned to Henry and Nora Eskew Folkerts. She attended grade school at Ash Valley, Kan., and graduated from Larned High School in 1950.

On Nov. l, 1950, she was married to Dale Richard Josefiak of Rozel, Kan. He died on Aug. 6th, 1999. They were blessed with two children, eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. 

Survivors include son Richard Josefiak and wife Laurie of Rozel, and daughter Lori and husband Kevin Milch of Larned; seven grandchildren, Erin Josefiak (Aaron Beckwith), Kory (Heather) Josefiak, Ty (Kayla) Josefiak, Amanda (Cory) Johnson, all of Rozel, Nikki (Aaron) Larson of Lacrosse, Hayley (Tyler) Langton of Corvallis, Mont., Megan (Darren) Nay of Hesston; and 17 great-grandchildren; one niece Suzanne (Ron) Kerner of Valpraiso, Ind.; one sister-in-law Marjorie Spence of Rozel; and nieces Tammy Binder, Rozel, and Cindy Reno, McPherson. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dale; her beloved granddaughter, Shannon Louise Milch; brother Raymond Folkerts and his wife Zara.

A lifetime Pawnee County farm resident, Joan was a 54-year member of the Rozel FCE. She served as President of the Pawnee County Homemakers Council for five years and one year attended the National Homemakers Council Convention in Burlington, Vermont.

Joan was confirmed in the Grace Lutheran Church and also attended the Rozel Methodist Church for many years.

Joan stayed interested in the daily farming and ranching operation, always checking to find out what everyone was doing. She enjoyed family and dearly loved the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was well known for her cooking, especially her fried chicken and harvest meals. She also enjoyed taking the FCE Bus Trips and listening to Polka music.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned, with Reverend Berniece Ludlum presiding. Service will be viewable via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/beckwithmortuary. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, with family present from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025 at Beckwith Mortuary. Burial will be in Larned Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Pawnee County 4-H Foundation or City of Rozel in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Beckwith Mortuary

P.O. Box 477

Larned, Kansas 67550

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 23, 2025