Joan Marie Penzler Thum, 87, of Overland Park, KS, passed away on July 18, 2021 from congestive heart failure. Joan was born on July 28, 1933 in St. Louis, MO, the firstborn of Kenneth E. Penzler and Marcella L. (Schlueter) Penzler. She graduated from St. Stephen’s grade school in 1947, Nerinx Hall in 1951, and St. Louis University, magna cum laude, in 1955. In 1956, Joan married Mel Thum, and together they raised four children, Terry, Sharon, Cathy, and Jeanne. In 1967, a corporate transfer brought the Thum family to the Kansas City area, where Joan lived the rest of her life. Joan obtained her RN certification in 1977 and worked as a floor nurse at Advent Shawnee Mission Hospital for 24 years. Following her divorce from Mel in 1994, Joan enjoyed a life filled with family, friends, travel, tennis, golf, bridge, church activities, and volunteer work.
Joan is survived by her children, Terry (Gretchen) Thum, Sharon (Scott) Thum-Atwell, Cathy Thum, and Jeanne Thum, her grandson, Teddy Thum, her sister, Mary Lou (Bob) Wilson, and many nieces and nephews.
Joan’s funeral mass will be on July 31, 2021 at 1 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W 103rd St., Overland Park, KS, with a reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be made to Unbound, 1 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, KS 66103.
