Joan D. Pacha

Joan D. Pacha, 94, of Hanover, KS, passed away at Clover Care Home in Shawnee, KS.

Visitation was Thursday, November 7, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hanover, KS. A rosary followed at 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, November 8 at St. John’s Catholic Church.  Father David Metz officiated.

The pallbearers were Matthew Smith, Joseph Smith, Katie Hess, Brian Shrader, Laura Verrett and Kelli Pacha.

Burial was in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

Joan was born on December 28, 1929, to Charles T. and Ruth (Henry) Schwartz in Hanover. She graduated from Hanover High School and then went to Mount St. Scholastica Benedictine Sisters in Atchison, KS. 

Joan worked at her father’s store, Schwartz Shopping Center, during her youth. After she was united in marriage to John Pacha on August 8, 1950, at St. John’s Catholic Church, Joan focused on being a homemaker. Together, they were blessed with three children. Once her children were old enough, she returned to work part-time at the Shopping Center with her brother Charles Junior. She had a natural eye for fashion and was able to help Junior with picking out clothes and merchandise to be sold in the store at the Kansas City Market.

Since her birth, Joan was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church. Her strong faith carried her through life, which she passed on to her children. She was very active in the church whether it was her devotion to daily mass, prayer and the rosary, being an active part of the Altar Society, delivering food to the priests, or taking communion to the home-bound friends and elderly residents of Hanover. Joan was especially blessed to be able to walk to church after moving from the farm to town after the death of her husband. In her younger years, Joan served as President on the Altar Society. Being a great organizer, and actively participating in the Altar Society allowed her to share her talents with the entire Parish community, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Aside from Joan’s faith, family was everything. She was an excellent cook and always welcomed others into her home, telling stories and having much laughter. When friends or family would stop by, she would celebrate with a big family dinner or play a rousing game of Pinochle. On other occasions, it would be cooking breakfast following a Friday or Saturday night dance. During hunting season, hungry hunters could always look forward to a hearty meal. Holidays were a special opportunity to celebrate friends, faith, and family, and Christmas even more so. Food and hospitality were core to her personality. 

Joan was devoted to her garden and loved caring for her flowers and home-grown food. In addition to the aromas emanating from the kitchen, the house was often filled with music. She played the piano and everyone would sing, especially around Christmas time. She and John were regulars at the Friday or Saturday night dances, sharing their love for dancing and music with each other. Other memories include summer vacations visiting relatives in Colorado, Arizona, and California. 

Joan was loved by all who had a chance to know her.

Preceding her in death is her husband, John; parents; brother, Charles Schwartz; sister, Bernita Schroeder; and grandson, Nicolas Pacha.

Survivors include her children, Susan Smith, Lenexa, KS, Sandra (Mike) Wells, Austin, TX, and Thomas (Linda) Pacha, Naperville, IL; grandchildren, Matthew (Christine) Smith, McKinney, TX, Katherine (Alex) Hess, Leawood, KS, Joseph (Erin) Smith, Prairie Village, KS, Laura (Daniel) Verrett, Duvall, WA, Brian (Cecilia) Shrader, Austin, TX, and Kelli Pacha, Chicago, IL; great-grandchildren, Josephine and Winston Smith, John, Judy and Will Hess, Marshall and Thomas Smith, Jacob, Noah and Matthew Verrett, and Catherine and Cassian Shrader.

A memorial fund has been established for St. John’s Catholic Church. Contributions may be sent in care of Hanover Mortuary, c/o Kinsley Mortuary, PO Box 147, Marysville, KS 66508.