Joanne J. Ochs, 89, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Providence Medical Center surrounded by family.
She was born August 2, 1933, to Ralph and Betty (Bromell) Brown in Leavenworth. For over 40 years, Joanne and her husband Vernon owned and operated the Leavenworth Dairy Queen. Together they were also actively involved with the CW Parker Carousel Museum, beginning with the restoration effort. They loved to travel, and visited five continents and much of the United States. Joanne was a longtime member of Southern Heights United Methodist Church.
Joanne grew up in the rural Leavenworth farming community and attended Bell School. She was active in the Bell 4-H Club. Joanne graduated salutatorian of the Leavenworth High School class of 1951. After high school she worked for Hallmark Cards. On November 14, 1954, she married Vernon Ochs at Michigan Avenue Methodist Church in Leavenworth.
Joanne and Vernon had four children: Richard, Nancy, Mary Ellen and Daniel. She was committed to being actively involved in her children’s activities, church, and the Dairy Queen franchise.
Joanne is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Vernon, her brother Charles Brown, her son-in-law Jack Copeland and her grandson Christopher Soden. She is survived by her son Richard (Judy) Ochs of Park City, Kan., daughters Nancy Copeland of Shawnee and Mary Ellen (Jack) Soden of Wichita, and son Daniel (Patty) Ochs of Wichita, granddaughter Jill (John) Walrod, grandson Justin (Hayley Cheatham) Ochs, granddaughters Stephanie (Jay) Hobson, Emily (John) Hayes, Kristen (Johnathan) Nichols, and great-grandsons Barrett Walrod, Deacon Ochs, and Milo Nichols, all of Wichita.
There will be a visitation Friday, October 14, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Davis Funeral Chapel. The service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Southern Heights United Methodist Church, followed by a graveside service at Mt. Muncie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Southern Heights United Methodist Church or Children’s Miracle Network.