Joan Lenore Klentzer Rodgers went peacefully to be with the Lord on April 19, 2019 at 3:48 a.m. at home. She was born in Fowler, Indiana July 27, 1931 to Edward R. Klentzer and Lenore Martin Klentzer who preceded her in death along with her sister, Doris Jean Klentzer Overholser. She is survived by her husband, Allan Winfield Rodgers, her children, Gregory Rodgers and Heather Rodgers Kelso, and her grandchildren, Karley Jarrett and Halley Thompson along with their spouses Jerry Kelso, fiancé Luke Bizal and Michael Thompson.
Joan “Jo”, graduated college from Ball State University where she joined Tri Sigma Sorority. She was active and a leader in campus activities. While she was an undergraduate, she helped to design the student activity center. Upon graduation she was hired to be the first Director of Campus Activities. While at Ball State she met the love of her life, Allan Rodgers, and they were engaged and married shortly thereafter, June 7, 1958. She stayed at home to raise her children and support Allan’s career. She served as the President of the Faculty Wives at both Indiana State University and Mississippi State University. She was on the Governor’s Council for Education for the State of Mississippi. In 1976, she became a realtor selling over million dollars in her first year and was awarded many times over. As with all things she did, she poured 100% enthusiasm into her endeavors.
Joan exemplified beauty, grace, and elegance and had a servant’s heart that glorified God. She had a great sense of humor, loved everyone she met, was a stellar dancer, quilter, organizer, hostess, prayer warrior, wife, mom, grandma and friend. She loved traveling and meeting new people. Her trips took her to explore Australia, New Zealand, England, Israel, Switzerland, Austria, Scotland, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Aruba, Jamaica, and all of United States except Alaska. She loved being outdoors whether it be camping or wilderness canoeing in the boundary waters and was a coordinated athlete including synchronized swimming. She also loved sewing and quilting making numerous quilts for others.
Please join us at Compass Evangelical Free Church, 600 Silvey Street in Columbia, Missouri on Friday, April 26th, at 1:00-2:00 for Visitation and at 2:00 Celebration of Joan’s Life. We welcome sharing your memories of Jo. If you would like to honor her, please do so by giving to American Alzheimer’s Association Research at Greater Missouri Chapter of American Alzheimer’s Association Research, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132.
