Joan Best

Remembering… Joan (Schlicher) Best of Hoxie, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2015, at Citizens Medical Center in Colby, Kansas, at the age of 85. She was born to Carl and Edna (Gerdom) Schlicher on February 26, 1930 in Norton, Kansas. Joan had one sister Phyllis. Their mother Edna passed away when the girls were very young. Their father Carl later remarried Hulda Goetsch. Joan graduated from Sheridan Community High School with the class of 1948. Upon her graduation, she attended two years of College in Colorado Springs, Colorado to earn an Associate’s Degree in Business. After graduating, Joan came back to Hoxie and went to work for The First National Bank of Hoxie from 1950 to 1960. She worked in every position in the bank. She married her husband Paul on August 31, 1952 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Hoxie. They were blessed with a daughter Pam and a son Todd. Joan held many offices with the County, State, and National Associations of Family and Community Education as well as being a member of the K-State Advisory Board and the Hoxie Presbyterian Church. The promotion of education was one of her passions. She traveled to many countries working tirelessly promoting education for all and was very active in the Know America Tours taking people on tours all over the United States. She served as Treasurer for church for over 30 years, taught Sunday School, and worked in many of the church’s organizations. She was always willing to help others any way she could. Joan loved to work. After leaving the bank, she raised her family and worked as the bookkeeper for the family farm. In her spare time, she tended her garden. Joan’s family was so important to her, they were the true love of her life. Joan is survived by her husband, Paul Best of the home; son, Todd Best and wife Beckie of Hoxie; daughter, Pam Best of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Cody, Heath, Merrick, and Grayson Best; and caregiver and family friend, Gabriela Labrado. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Edna Schlicher; step-mother, Hulda Schilcher; and sister, Phyllis Reed. Joan appreciated the love and patience needed in order to plant, nurture, and grow not just her gardens and crops, but more importantly her children and family. With God as her source of strength, wisdom, and love, she was indeed a wife and mother of noble character, opening her arms to anyone in need, and caring for those who loved her most, her children and husband, who will rise up and call her blessed and praise her for generations to come. Reception: First Presbyterian Church