Joan Friend

Barbara “Joan” (Rankin) Friend passed away Monday, October 20, 2014 at her home in Plainville, Kansas. She was born to John “Karl” and Jennie “Eudora” (Taylor) Rankin on September 16, 1944 in Emporia, Kansas. Her father Karl was “Missing In Action” during WWII at the time of her birth, and as fate would have it, was never to behold his baby daughter. Joan was baptized at the age of 12 in the Christian Church and later became a member of the United Methodist Church. She graduated from Cimarron High School with the Class of 1962. She married Larry Friend on August 12, 1962 at the United Methodist Church in Cimarron. They recently celebrated their 52nd Anniversary. Joan earned a Secondary Education Degree in 1970 and a Masters of Administration in 1991 from Fort Hays State University. She was member of the Fort Hays Chapter of Phi Betta Kappa. During her 42 years in education she taught at Palco, Plainville, and WaKeeney, Kansas, as well as Thomas More Prep in Hays. She served as Principal at Palco before finishing her career as Superintendent of USD 494 in Syracuse, Kansas, retiring in July of 2012. Joan was a member of the United School Administrators, the Superintendents Association, and served on the Kansas State High School Activities Association board for 5 years. She was a 46 year member of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha (ESA) International, serving as State President from 1977-1978, and International President from 1989-1990. She was also a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) Chapter AI in Syracuse, and the United Methodist Church in Plainville. Joan is survived by her husband Larry Friend of the home in Plainville; sons Jay Friend and wife Dana of Plainville, and Joey Friend of Plainville; grandchildren Hannah, Hayden, and Halli Friend all of Plainville; brothers Mike Rankin and wife Linda of Dodge City, and Myron Taylor Harris and partner Sam Bass of Hutchinson; niece Michelle Stark and husband Mike, and nephew Max Rankin. She was preceded in death by her parents Karl and Eudora Rankin The Proverbs writer said, “Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they grow old they will not depart from it.” Joan was a true teacher at heart, she taught by example not only in the classroom and office, but in her personal life as well. Her legacy and life have impacted untold thousands of students and families for generations to come. She was greatly loved, admired, and respected. She will be greatly missed.