OVERBROOK, Kan. – Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joy Ermine Schwanke was called home to her Heavenly Father on Oct. 24, 2022, at the age of 95. Joy was born on March 21, 1927, in Ottawa, Kan., to Millard and Jessie Rodgers.

The third of four siblings, Joy learned at an early age the importance of family and tradition. Every Sunday the Rodgers family would gather for a meal after church. Her upbringing in Ottawa is where her creative spirit blossomed. As a young lady, Joy loved to go dancing with friends, and dreamt of one day becoming a professional dancer.

Joy was married to the father of her children, Dewey Ira Cripe, from 1947 to 1964. During their marriage, they owned Cripe Grocers, in Lawrence, Kan., and had two children, a daughter, Debra, and a son, Darin.

Later in life, at the age of 42, she married Lakin Earl Schwanke, a major in the U.S. Army. Together they moved to Overbrook, Kan. and became integral members of the Overbrook community with their laundromat and car wash operations. Widowed in 1999, Joy spent the remainder of her life in Overbrook, where she enjoyed walks, planting flowers, ceramics, and daily coffee with friends.

A strong woman of faith, Joy was devoted to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessed by The Great Healer and Physician, she survived two battles with cancer, among other ailments throughout her lifetime. Joy was the essence of strength and as so, she will be remembered. An avid churchgoer, she was a proud member of Grace Community Church, Overbrook, Kan.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Chanay; daughter, Debra Dickson and husband, David; son, Darin Cripe and wife, Dayla; and grandchildren, Danielle Dickson, Courtney Cripe, Dustin Davison, Ryan Davison, and Sheena Heckel.

A graveside service will be 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at Overbrook Cemetery, Overbrook.

In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.