Joan Panek Stearns

March 13, 1924 – July 15, 2020

Joan P. Stearns was born on March 13, 1924 to Al and Phyllis Panek in Kearney, Nebraska. The family moved to Denver in the 1920’s. Her father attended the University of Denver and was the captain of DU’s 1928 football team and her mother was a sports enthusiast herself. Joan was their only child and their family was very close. In the backyard of their modest house on South University was a putting green that her father had installed. Everyone in the family was an avid golfer.

Joan attended the Denver Public Schools and graduated from South High School in 1941. She went on to attend the University of Denver, earning a BS Degree in Physical Education in 1945. While at DU, Joan was a popular member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and developed many lasting friendships with her fellow sorority sisters.

In 1945, Joan married Carle W. Stearns, who was a 1940 graduate of East High School and, at the time, a pilot in the US Army Air Core. Following the war, both became Physical Education teachers in the Denver Public School system. From 1949 – 1960, four children were born from their marriage; three boys (Bill, John and Rick) followed by a girl (Carla). Joan’s teaching career was interrupted on several occasions to raise her young family. When her last child, Carla, reached school age, she returned to work as a substitute teacher in the Denver Public School system.

Joan was a “family comes first” mother and she didn’t think twice about taking one of her three sons to the golf course with her to caddy, or maybe it was to have one fewer at home to keep the peace. Her children were very athletic and Joan ensured that each child made it to their practices and games on time and never missed an opportunity to watch all of her kids compete. A point of pride surfaced as each child wound up receiving “full ride” scholarships to the Universities of Wyoming, Colorado and Northern Colorado. Bill and John later became professional baseball players and John eventually made his mark with the New York Mets. Joan followed the careers of her children and their families very closely and was always there to provide support.

Joan was also very active herself as she was a Lifetime Member (over 50 years) of the Wellshire Women’s Golf Club. Her family enjoyed hearing her stories of the links, especially when she eagled Hole #18 after holing out from the fairway. Golfing was a way of life for Joan and she instilled that in her children, as well. She also belonged to several bridge clubs that included friends from college as well as teaching associates. She was a dog lover and always had a companion by her side.

Joan was predeceased by her husband, Carle, in 2008 and great grandson, Ky, in 2017. She is survived by her four children, 11 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.

A Public Viewing will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 from 10:00-11:00am at Olinger Chapel Hill. 6601 S. Colorado Blvd. Centennial, CO 80121. A private Memorial Service for Family Only will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 12:00 at University Park Methodist Church. She will then be laid to rest at Olinger Chapel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Denver Dumb Friends League in Joan’s name. (ddfl.org) Visit olingerchapelhill.org to sign guestbook for Joan Stearns.