Joan Papenhausen

She was born August 6th, 1928 in Toschendorf, Wüsterwaltersdorf, Germany, and immigrated to Defiance, Ohio in 1952 with her husband and two young daughters. She moved to Mansfield in 1954, where she lived the rest of her life.

Joan loved homemaking, needle work, sewing, animals and gardening, and was a talented cook and baker. She was an officer for the Cloverleaf Ohio Extension Homemakers Council and an active member of the Mansfield Tops Club and Rebekah Rachel. She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church, attending St. Paul's.

Joan's dedicated community service and crafting skills touched the lives of countless children and families through various organizations including Salvation Army (dressing dolls), MGH (knitting hats for newborns), the Girl Scouts and the Cub Scouts.

She is survived by her husband, Heinrich Johann Dietrich "Henry" Papenhausen of Mansfield, whom she married in Okel-bei-Syke, Niedersachsen, Germany, on May 20th, 1948.

Also surviving are two daughters, Renate Brigitte Frieda Papenhausen of Mansfield, Ilse Margarete Emma Papenhausen Boren of Painesville, one son and daughter-in-law, Mark Henry (Amy) Papenhausen of Galion, two grandchildren, Vaughn Rutan Papenhausen and Max Rutan Papenhausen of Galion, five sisters, Hiltraud Eggers, Inge (Dirk) Kramer, Dorothee Bruning, Karin (Johann) Borchers, and Sigrid Schlake, all of Germany, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil Artur Lenk and Emma Greissler Lenk, and one brother, Günter Lenk.

Joan's family and friends will fondly remember her very kind and caring spirit. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service for Joan will be held at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Ontario, on Saturday, August 27th, 2011 at 2pm conducted by Pastor Richard Beal. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church.