Joan “JoKay” Katherine Kunkler

Joan “JoKay” Kunkler passed away Thursday, October 20th, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospice House. She passed just like she lived, gently and sweetly, with family at her side. She was born in Topeka, Kansas July 26, 1924, and was the daughter of William Francis Dowling, and Cora Lutz. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, and her husband Bill Kunkler, who passed on September 8, 2010. She is survived by her son, Bob Kunkler of Golden, CO, her daughter, Kathleen (Brooke) of Prairie Village, Ks, Grandson Ben Kunkler (Katie), and three great grandchildren, Anthony, Triston, and Aria. JoKay’s Mother passed early of TB, after living most of JoKay’s teen age years at a sanitarium in Western Kansas. Soon following, she and her sister, Helen attended a Catholic boarding high school in Salina, Ks. She returned to Topeka where she met young Bill Kunkler who had just returned from WWII. They found each other, and soon after her father gave her a dime for a pillow and put her on a train to Hays, Kansas where Bill was an unlocated lineman for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. They were married on August 2, 1947 and enjoyed 62 years of marriage. Following Bill’s retirement, they enjoyed a wonderful life up on a bluff at Table Rock Lake. Their favorite time was watching the sunsets sitting out on their deck. Following Bill’s passing, JoKay endured with faith and grace. She enjoyed spending time with her friends in Shell Knob dining, shopping, quilting, and partaking in bible studies at her Trinity Presbyterian Church. Her church family meant the world to her everyday life. She also loved traveling with her daughter and experiencing things she never thought would be possible. When she was on her first Alaskan cruise, she said to daughter Kathy, “Who would have thought, me, JoKay Kunkler from Shell Knob, on a cruise, in Alaska?” She enjoyed numerous other cruises, watched her favorite team the Kansas City Royals, and attended Spring Training in Arizona. One of her favorite experiences was attending the World Series parade in Kansas City. She loved watching the Chiefs, Royals, KU basketball and all sports whether they be in person or on the television. She believed that “Motion is Lotion” and road her trusty exercise bike daily. When some health issues finally arose in 2021, she made the courageous decision to make the move from her beloved home on the lake and move back Kansas City. It was hard, but it was her own decision. She lived on her own, in her independent living apartment up until the last three days of her life. Special thanks to the amazing St Luke’s Hospice care team and the kind staff of The Forum. She loved her daily visits from Julie, and her time with PT’s Tara, Julie and Amy. Sheila and Shannon were always nearby and an amazing help. Much gratitude to Pastor Peggy and her church for giving JoKay so much support and friendship. Thank you to our amazing friends who were like daughters to her: Julie Q, Teri, Teresa, Patti P,and Holly. A special thank you to Brenda DeGroot and Anne Kolarik, who assisted throughout her life, but even more tremendously near the end with so much love. Also, she loved Brooke Todare so much, and thank you for being there with us at the end. For all that knew her, she was a light. She was kind and giving, and an inspiration to anyone she met. She gave so much of herself to everyone and never complained, even at the end. Her light will continue to shine bright and guide us forward. She loved her sweet church in Shell Knob, and we request gifts to the Jo Kay Memorial Fund at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 24596 State Highway 39, Shell Knob, MO 65747