Joy Louise Neumann

Joy L. Neumann, 94, Atchison, Kansas died Thursday, November 3, 2016, with her husband, children and family at her side, at Atchison Senior Village.

A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Benedict's Church, 1000 North 2nd Street, Atchison, Kansas. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, November 12, from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at the church. Memorial contributions are suggested to Atchison Senior Village and may be left in care of Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.

Joy Louise was born to Clifford Koeger & Bessie (Braswell Koeger. She grew up in a Southern Missouri Baptist tradition and enjoyed close relations with her many Braswell family in Nevada, Missouri. Joy's older brother Jack became and engineer working internationally and younger brother Zane, an entrepreneur now retired and living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her father, Clifford, was a conductor so Joy had a fondness for trains.

Early on, young Joy learned to nurture hope in those downtrodden and to answer the call of charity giving others a second chance. On the wooden steps of her home on Pine Street, Joy would play with her close friend, Bernice. Many a time while bandaging her dolls or splinting their broken limbs, Joy witnessed her mother providing food to the hungry, placing an old sweater in the hands of those in need of warmth and offering kind words of hope to ease the crestfallen wanderers of the Great Depression. Joy was destined to become a nurse.

In 1940, the determined young woman, Joy came to Kansas City to pursue her education and graduated from Research School of Nursing and additional education a Mayo Medical Center. In her early nursing years, Joy met lifelong friends and "found family" in Maurine (Case) Bryce of Atchison, KS and Aileen (Alderson) Eigenberg of Waterville, KS. Her two friends ably enlisted as Army nurses, but a childhood bout of rheumatic fever left Joy with a heart murmur preventing her from military service. Nevertheless, she believed that women were not only capable, but had an indispensable role to play in serving America. She devoted herself to her career as nurse in Kansas City. This was the time of the "Great Generation".

Later after WWII, Maurine Case would introduce Joy to Richard (Dick) Neumann from Atchison, KS and soon they joined together in marriage on November 3, 1951. They built a home in St. Augustine Parish and raised 5 children in Kansas City. In the 1970's the family moved into the home where Richard was born in Atchison. Richard worked for JE Dunn Construction for 55 years. Joy lovingly raised their children, attended Bible studies, enjoyed book clubs, and volunteered to drive cancer patients to Kansas City for treatment. She and Richard rose early in the morning to do vigils of the Eucharist at St. Benedict's Church. Joy enriched her life with travels to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Mexico, and in the United States, from Hawaii to Washington DC. Richard and Joy recently celebrated 65 years of marriage.

God granted Joy good health for her many years. In her last few years circumstances changed so Joy enjoyed assisted living at Vintage Park and after some falls moved to Senior Village. The Neumann family is forever grateful for the kind and professional care.

Joy Louise had a gently spirit, was a generous person with open ears to listen to those in need of a friend, table set to feed and nourish all welcomed in her home, a helping hand or embrace those seeking help or sympathy, a kind word to lift the spirit, and soothing smile that put one at ease. She was a devoted lifelong companion to Richard and they held hands even in her final moments on the day of their 65th wedding anniversary. She will be missed beyond the description of words. She has impacted many lives with her kindness and calm manner. She was an inspiring role model to all who knew her.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Jack.

Joy is survived by her spouse, Richard Neumann Sr., children Joy Caven (husband, Joe, deceased) Richard Neumann Jr. (wife, Susan and grandchildren, Megan and Brandon), Kevin Neumann, Lisa Nigro (husband, Torre, and grandchildren, Suzanne, Amy, Laura, and Sam), David Neumann (wife, Janice, and grandchildren, Abby and Grant) and 5 great grandchildren. Joy is also survived by her brother, Zane Koeger (wife, Sandy, deceased) and numerous nieces and nephews who she loved like her own children.