Joy E. Gustin

Joy E. Gustin, 71, of Manhattan KS passed away in her home on Thursday, February, Feb 12th, accompanied by her husband Ken Gustin, and sisters Jeri Beaulieu and Kim Clark.

Joy was born June 24, 1954 in Fort Fairfield, ME, to Arthur Herbert and Martina Goldie Libby. After relocating to Anchorage, AK she was united in marriage to Ken Gustin of Seneca, KS on June 28, 1980. From that day forward they were an inseparable pair, best friends united in love.

During Joy's youth in Limestone, Maine, she and her siblings worked the family potato farm with their parents Arthur and Martina. Prior to moving to Alaska she worked in Portland, ME as a Bank Teller, and as a checker at a local grocery store. Her relocation to Anchorage found her immediately employed in the Banking Industry as a Mortgage Loan Processor, then later a Mortgage Title Specialist. In 1985 she and Ken relocated to Emporia KS, where Joy pursued her academic studies in the Botany field.

As Ken began his career with USDA in Kansas in 1987 Joy worked in high school and college administrative fields while USDA gave them increased opportunities by moving to Center Barnstead, New Hampshire in 2000, and then eventually to Bangor Maine in 2006, where Ken served as Executive Director for USDA until retirement in 2016, and their following relocation to Kansas. Joy retired while in Maine 5 years prior to making Kansas their home again. She made many friends wherever she was and worked diligently to remain close to them, regardless of where their paths led.

Joy's passions were her family, her friends, her work, and the many kitties she treated as if they were her children through the years. Her nieces and nephews held a special place in her heart. She was the biggest fan of Ken's musical endeavors and performing efforts, and was the inspiration for many of his songs. She enjoyed travel and made the trip from Kansas back to Maine almost every summer since first moving from Alaska to Kansas in 1985. Together, she and Ken visited most of the US, and parts of Canada.

Joy will be remembered for her boundless energy, playful attitude and strong spirit, and commitment to keeping family and friends close within her heart. Her 9 year fight with cancer has been a lesson to all in the strength of perseverance and the power of courage and faith. Her nightly prayers grew each day of her life as she added those in need whether known to her or not. Her bravery in fighting through the challenges of the last several years she freely gifted to others, with the desire that we embrace hope and faith and turn gentle spirits toward others in need. The memories she helped create will be cherished, living on in the hearts of all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and her siblings Jeffrey Libby, Betty Jean Libby, and James Libby. She is survived by husband Ken Gustin, and sisters Jeri and Peter Beaulieu of Cross Lake Township, ME, and Kim and Paul Clark, of Audubon, NJ, and many nieces and nephews.

The celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. There will be a visitation prior to the service starting at 9:30 A.M.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, sent in care of the family.