CIMARRON - Joan Dykstra, 77, died Sunday, November 18, 2018 at her home in Cimarron.

She was born February 7, 1941 at Dodge City, the daughter of Howard and Elizabeth (Nelson) Mendenhall. Joan was a graduate of Fowler High School. She had been living in Cimarron for the last 5 years after moving back from living and working in Honolulu, Hawaii at Honolulu Community college as a Professor of Human Development.

On January 7, 1979 she married Gerald Dykstra on Oahu, Hawaii. He preceded in her death on September 7, 2001. Gerry and Joan enjoyed coffee, reading, swimming at the beach, and to take a traveling adventure every so often. Gerald was a linguist and spoke numerous languages and specialized in rapid language acquisition so no matter where they went they knew that they would be able to communicate with the natives. Some places they traveled were, New Zealand, Indonesia, Caribbean Islands, and various places in the United States.

Survivors include: a son, Gamelyn Dykstra, New Haven, Connecticut; 2 sisters, Jean Hatfield and husband Norman, Minneola, Kansas, Barbara Clark and husband Don, Cimarron, Kansas; 1 brother, Chester Mendenhall and wife Linda, Meade, Kansas; 3 Grandchildren, Kraighton Dykstra, and Paeten Deschenne, both of Indianola, Washington, and Leif Dykstra, New Haven, Connecticut; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and 2 brothers, Billy Mendenhall and Forrest Mendenhall.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 am Saturday, November, 24, 2018 at First Christian Church, Cimarron with David Johnson officiating. Hawaiian attire optional. There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.

The family suggests memorials to Fowler Scholarship Fund in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 646, Cimarron, Kansas 67835. Condolences may be sent to www.zieglerfuneralchapel.com.