Joan Kibbee

September 24, 1929 - September 22, 2018

Joan was born September 24, 1929, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado to Ella Cecelia (Peterson) and John Ardrey.  She was the oldest of six children.  She attended both grammar and high school in Cheyenne Wells, as did all her siblings.

In the 1930’s, Velma Joan (better known as Joan) and her parents lived on a farm five miles south of Cheyenne Wells.  Here, Joan and Floyd were joined by siblings Bonnie, Fred, Nancy and Alice.  Life on the farm consisted of lots of work.  This is where her lifelong love of horses began she enjoyed riding across the prairie with the wind blowing in her hair.

The family raised crops, beef, and milked cows.  The entire family participated in the farming and chores.

In addition to hard work, Joan knew how to enjoy life.  Joan especially loved music and played both the piano and violin.  She also loved to dance, and it was hard for her to sit still when there was good music (particularly western music) in the air.  Joan also loved to roller skate.

Joan married Lawrence Plummer in 1947.  To this union, Mary Laurine was born and then Constance (Connie) Marie six weeks after the untimely death of Lawrence.  Joan continued living and working on the farm/ranch and raising her two young daughter with the help of her sister Bonnie.

In May of 1953 Joan married Harold Will.  To this union Karen Eugenia and Perry Lynn her only son was born.  The family moved into Cheyenne Wells where Joan worked at St. Joseph’s hospital of the Plains. Throughout their marriage Harold and Joan continued to farm and ranch, all the while holding their other jobs.  They loved attending all sporting events and activities their children were involved with.    She baked and decorated cakes for all occasions.  Her wedding cakes were especially beautiful and remembered by many.  Harold passed away in 1976.

In addition to creating beautiful cakes, Joan enjoyed making dresses for her daughters, and if she could find time, was an avid reader and loved doing pen, ink sketches, oil painting and beautiful floral arrangements.  At one time, Joan owned the flower shop in Cheyenne Wells called “Joan’s Floral.” 

In the 1980s, Joan moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, area.  There she married Alan Kibbee.  Six years later they moved to the Kingman-Golden Valley, Arizona, area where they opened a small café.  At the time of Alans death in 1996 they were operating a backhoe trenching company. 

Joan loved the Golden Valley area near Laughlin, Nevada.  She owned and operated and antique store near Golden Valley until she found her perfect job at the casino/hotel in Laughlin.  Joan decorated their restaurants and other public areas in the casino for all seasons and special events.  This job involved decorating as many as 45 trees for Christmas holidays. 

After 35 years living in the Golden Valley area she moved back to Cheyenne Wells to be near her family.  Joan has been a volunteer worker at the Senior Thrift Store in Cheyenne Wells and has enjoyed renewing acquaintances with old friends, she has been able to spend more time with sister Alice (Norm), daughters, son, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.  The senior lunches Mondays and Wednesdays were especially enjoyable.

In August of this year, Joan celebrated her upcoming 89^th birthday early at the home of her daughter Karen (Harold) Gillihan in Goodland, Kansas, along with great granddaughter Ella and friends Gladys and Ted Gillihan.  Joan passed away September 22, 2018, at Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker two days before her 89^th birthday.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Cecilia and John; daughter Constance (Connie) and son-in-law Ron Homan; husbands Lawrence Plummer (1948), Harold Will (1976), Alan Kibbee (1996); two sisters, Bonnie and Nancy; two brothers Fred and Floyd; and grandchildren Court Will, Tina Homan and Shannon Kammerer.

Joan’s survivors are daughters Mary (Carl) Kammerer and Karen (Harold) Gillihan; son, Perry (Susan) Will; grandchildren Shane (Yesenia) Kammerer, Mark (Aubrey) Kammerer, Troy (Shawna) Homan, Lana Russell,  Amity (Justin) Ihrig, Travis Gilliham, Shawna (Keith) Petree; 15 great grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren. 

Honorary pall bearers were Shane Kammerer, Mark Kammerer, Troy Homan, Amity Ihrig, Travis Gillihan, Shawna Petree, and Lana Russell.

Funeral services were held September 29, 2018.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Cheyenne Wells Senior Citizens Center.

Arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.