JoAnn Marie Franke, 82, of Hutchinson, passed away Jan. 23, 2015, at Hester Care Center, Wesley Towers. She had bravely and stoically been fighting Parkinson's since 2005. She was born Feb. 6, 1932, in La Crosse, Kan., the daughter of Lowell and Verna (Jaecke) Hoover.

She graduated from La Crosse High School in 1950, attended KU her freshman year, and graduated from Fort Hays State College in 1954 with a degree in Art. She was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority.

JoAnn married Roger E. Franke Nov. 6, 1954, in La Crosse, Kan. The couple was fortunate to have recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

JoAnn worked in Washington, D.C., for the Department of Agriculture while Roger was serving in the Army. She taught 3rd grade in Kansas City, Kan., and Clinton, Iowa. She was a substitute teacher in both Hays and Hutchinson. It was through her teaching in Hays that led to working as a tutor on the feature film "Paper Moon" in 1972. She was also an administrative assistant for her husband at Mass Mutual Life Insurance for 15 years. JoAnn served on the Fort Hays State Alumni Board. She became a member of PEO in 1965 in Bloomington, Minn., and was a member and past president of PEO Chapter EC in Hays and also Chapter CM in Hutchinson. She was also a member of the Tuesday Study Club, Park Place Christian Church, and a volunteer at Hutchinson Hospital. JoAnn had a love of travel, including spending winters in Southern California, visiting her daughter's film sets, going to the theatre and art galleries, playing bridge, watching Jayhawk and HCC basketball, and eating chocolate.

She is survived by: her husband, Roger; daughter, Cindy Franke and her partner Ian McNeice of London, England. She was preceded in death by her parents. The family would like to thank JoAnn's entourage (you know who you are) for their support during these last several years and also to everyone on the West Wing.

Memorial service for JoAnn will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams, Hutchinson. The family will receive friends following the service at The Hutchinson Town Club. Friends may sign the register book today through Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Fort Hays State University Foundation, Park Place Christian Church or TECH, all in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501.