HALSTEAD, Kan. – Joseph B. Coursen, 62, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kan. He was born Jan. 18, 1958, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Fred and Toni Link Coursen.
Joe attended Burlingame High School, Burlingame, Kan., and graduated with the class of 1976. He briefly attended Butler County Community College before taking a position with the Santa Fe Railroad as a welder on March 17, 1977.
Joe was joined in marriage to Brenda L. Seifert, November 4, 1978, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Scranton, Kan.
Joe’s career with the railroad took them to Moore, Okla., for three years, and Emporia, Kan., for six years. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe Railroads, Joe was promoted to track supervisor, and he and Brenda settled down in Lebo, Kan., in 1987. In 2006, Joe received a promotion to road master and he and Brenda made their home in Halstead, Kan. He continued with the railroad for 10 more years before his retirement in 2016.
During their time in Lebo, Joe volunteered on the local fire department and served as scout leader and baseball coach for his sons Jacob and Justin. He enjoyed bow hunting, fishing, and attending family sporting events for his sons and eventually his grandchildren. Joe loved riding his Harley with his wife, and taking vacations to the mountains. He was known for his work ethic, family devotion and keen sense of humor. As one friend put it, he was a “true gem of a human being.” When Joe would hear a song or music that he liked he would not hesitate to share it by sending it to his family and friends.
He will live on in the hearts and memories of his loving wife, Brenda, of their home in Halstead; his two sons, Jacob Coursen, Emporia, and Justin “Roo” Coursen and his wife, Meghan, Ottawa, Kan.; three grandchildren, Madison, Monica and Jonah; two brothers, Bill Coursen, Burlingame, and Tim Coursen, Waverly, Kan.; and numerous extended family, former co-workers and countless close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Wally Whittington.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Osage City. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Thursday evening at the church. Burial will follow services at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, north of Osage City.
The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel, 107 N. 6th St., Osage City, KS 66523. Condolences can be left at vanarsdalefs.com.
