Joan Lorraine Willmert

Joan Lorraine Willmert, 80, of Lawrence, Kansas, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2025. Joan was born on December 24, 1944, in Chadron, Nebraska, the daughter of George and Amelia (Jensen) Hendriksen. She graduated from Fremont, Nebraska, High School and received her bachelor’s degree in education from Dana College, Blair Nebraska.

As a schoolgirl, Joan was active at First Lutheran Church in Fremont, and was an occasional organist. After college, with her life-long love for children, Joan taught primary school in Crofton, Nebraska, and substitute taught in Indianapolis, Indiana, Fremont, Nebraska, and Lawrence, Kansas.

Joan’s calling was working with pre-school children, and she taught for many years in Lawrence at First Presbyterian Pre-School and Green Pastures Preschool at Good Shepherd Lutheran, which she founded and directed. She was a long-time Education Director of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lawrence and member of the choir. For several years Joan was an assistant, then troop leader for her daughters’ Girl Scout Troop in elementary school. In retirement she led an active and lively book club in her church.

Joan married Walter Willmert on June 4, 1967, in Fremont, Nebraska. He survives of the home.

Other survivors include children Peter Willmert and wife Marlo Cohen of Napa California; Erica Bushard and husband Tony Bushard of Lincoln, Nebraska; Andrea Swanson of Lawrence, Kansas; and Michael Willmert of Lawrence, Kansas. Grandchildren are Ilenia, Elias, and Anthony Willmert; Zachary, Nicholas, and Daniel Bushard; Sebastian and Karmen Michel-Cox.

A memorial service for Joan will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, November 15, at 3:00. A reception at the church will follow the service.

The family suggests memorials in Joan’s name to Green Pastures Preschool, Lawrence, or Dana Village – Lutheran Family Services (www.onelfs.org/dana-village), Blair, Nebraska, and may be sent directly or in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044. For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.