Joan Harker

Joan Harker, daughter of the late Otho Coleman Curtis and Beulah (Owens) Curtis, was born on August 10, 1940, in Wright County, Missouri, and departed her earthly home on May 16, 2022, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.

In her childhood, Joan spent many days at her parents’ rock store near Hartville, Missouri. She attended Mountain Grove Schools where she graduated in ’59. She met the love of her life in 7th grade, although she didn’t know it then. She went on to wed Paul Harker in ’59, and they shared nearly 63 years together. After a brief time in Kansas City, they put down roots on a farm in Mountain Grove and welcomed three children, Lyndell, Paulette, and Kevin to the world. She worked at Security Bank for many years while also being a homemaker and farmer’s wife. Joan loved farm life and enjoyed traveling alongside Paul while on the Mid-Am Dairy Board.

Joan’s faith in the Lord was unwavering. She was saved and baptized at a young age by her Uncle Leo Curtis. She was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church where she was the Junior Class Superintendent and teacher for several years. Joan served as Treasurer of Women’s Auxiliary for many years, helping in Bible School and Faith Weaver Friends. Her greatest desire was to see all of her family and friends saved.

Her love for her family was nearly as strong as her love for the Lord. She took many trips whether by plane, train, charter bus, or automobile with all her family in tow. Colorado at Christmas time was always a favorite. Hungry or not, she tried her best to force feed anyone who came by. Joan was competitive and always up for a game.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, brothers, Gene and Reggie Curtis, sisters, Joyce Nunn, Marilyn Riggs, and Lila Curtis, brothers-in-law, Ed Kubisiak and Leroy Harker, and daughter-in-law, Jenny Harker.

Joan is survived by her loving husband, Paul, son, Lyndell Harker and wife, Darlene, daughter, Paulette Ikemeier and husband, Eddie, and son, Kevin Harker, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, sister, Nelda Kubisiak, sisters-in-law, Vi and Louise Curtis and Barbara Harker, brother-in-law, Brent Nunn, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will cherish her memory.