Lida Joan Wheatley, 96, a longtime resident of Holton, died on May 20, 2021 at The Pines in Holton. Joan was born on October 29, 1924 near Idana, Kansas, the daughter of James Warren and Carrie Mary (Carpenter) Isensee. She graduated from Clay County Community High School in 1943. Soon after, with WWII casualties mounting, Joan volunteered for the US Army Cadet nursing program at Jane C. Stormont Hospital in Topeka, graduating in 1947.
On Easter morning, April 17, 1949, Joan married her true love, Dr. Joseph S. Wheatley, at her parent’s residence in Idana. In 1955, Joan and Joseph welcomed Pamela Jo and soon after, the Wheatley’s settled in South Chicago where Joan worked along side her husband at their veterinary clinic, The Excanaba Animal Hospital. In 1958, they welcomed their second child, Michael Joseph.
After the untimely death of her husband in 1968, Joan moved with her two children to Holton to be near her sister, Margaret Eubanks.
In 1991, Joan experienced a tremendous joy when her daughter gave birth to her granddaughter, Emily Joann Lutz. Joan dedicated her remaining years to her children, grandchild, relatives, friends, community and faith. Joan will be remembered as a loving, cheerful and thoughtful presence that exemplified the true meaning of being a Christian.
She is also preceded in death by her parents and sister and brother in-law, Margaret (Isensee) and Roger Eubanks.
Survivors:
Daughter: Pamela J. Wheatley-Lutz and husband, Sterling Waggener of Topeka, Kansas
Son: Michael J. and wife, Pamela Ann Wheatley of Barrington, IL
Granddaughter: Emily Joann Lutz of Manhattan, Kansas
numerous nieces and nephews
Graveside Services: Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 1:30PM at the Idana Cemetery in Idana, Kansas
Visitation: There will be no visitation
Memorials: Big Lakes Developmental Center c/o funeral home