Joan Putthoff was born on September 26, 1925 and transcended this world to enter the Spiritual world from whence she came on September 5, 2018. Joan was born in Kansas City, Missouri to Minnie Hueser Putthoff and Vincent Putthoff. At her age of three her family moved to Montrose, Missouri where she attended St. Mary's elementary school. After entering secondary school in Montrose the family moved back to Kansas City, Missouri. Joan received an academic scholarship to Mount Saint Scholastica Academy and chose to attend East High School in KC instead. She received an academic scholarship to Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas where she received a bachelor’s degree. Joan then went to Washington, DC to work for Georgetown University to enroll servicemen at that university. After returning to Kansas City she worked for Margolin-Rinehart law firm. In 1950 she entered Mount Saint Scholastica Convent and made vows there as Sister Michaeline. During her years in the convent she taught elementary and secondary schools in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, several years as principal of those schools. Joan received an M.ED. from St. Louis University and an M.A. From Graduate Theological University-Berkeley, California. She did post-graduate studies at Loyola University-Chicago, Fordham University – New York, University of California – San Diego, Kansas University – Lawrence, UMKC – Kansas City and studied at Walnut Creek, California, to receive certification in transactional analysis. In 1971 Joan received a dispensation from her vows as a Benedictine sister. After leaving the convent she became Director of Citizens for Correctional Reform for the State of Kansas with a two year grant. Joan then established her own business as Joan Putthoff and Associates. She was a communications consultant to schools, churches and corporations and did private counseling and spiritual direction for individuals, couples and families. Joan traveled widely both nationally and internationally as a communications and problem-solving consultant. She taught one year in Xian, China at Northwest University and also taught in Brazil, Russia, and Haiti and was a counselor at the Zuni Indian reservation in Zuni, New Mexico. World travel was a hobby for Joan having traveled to many countries in the world. She was pastoral administrator for the St. James Catholic Church at 39th and Harrison for two years.
All her life she was a professional woman as well as a volunteer for many nonprofit organizations. She often said her life was a well-balanced life, first in mind, body and soul development, second having fun socializing with her family and friends, and third serving humanity. One of her cherished commitments was to the United Nations Association of Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas, where she served as president for two terms. She loved volunteering as a teacher and counselor for several prisons both in Kansas and Missouri. She was always proud of and loved the women and men she worked with both in prison and after they were paroled. She loved life and all her life looked forward to returning to her Spiritual Home from whence she came. Joan was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Patricia, and her brothers, Dennis, Mike and Ron. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Louise and Patricia – nine loving nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews and their families.
Joan has bequeathed her body to the KU Med Center. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, 8745 James A. Reed Rd., Kansas City, MO 64138. Mass of Resurrection will be held at Little Sisters of the Poor on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 11 AM. Visitation at 10 AM.
The family would like to thank the Little Sisters of the Poor for their grace and loving care of Joan.
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Little Sisters of the Poor8745 James A. Reed Road, Kansas City, MO 64138
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