Born to George and Hilda Halbleib on their family farm near Brownell, KS., Joan was an avid 4-Her and was educated in a one-room school house. For high school, she was sent to Sacred Heart Academy in Wichita, even though her heart was at home on the farm with her “baby” sister, Judi. Following high school, she attended Brown-Mackie Business School in Salina.
She began her working career at the Eddie Clinic in Hays. It was in Hays that she met Bill Rupp, who would become her husband. Their 63-year marriage survived dozens of moves from student housing, apartments, tents, army barracks and homes as their six children arrived and her husband continued his education. Joan took each move and change in stride, nurturing her children to become adaptable, kind, loving and charitable Christians.
In the midst of managing her family’s packed schedules, she made the time to sew, quilt and embroider, reupholster and paint, many times leaving her handiwork on the bed for a sleeping child to find as they woke for the day. The Rupp home reflected her eclectic style accomplished on a shoestring budget and her impeccable housekeeping. Even though keeping up with her husband, children and her home was a full-time job, she also worked outside the home, holding positions at the Greeley Clinic and Baxter Blood Donor Center. She was a sought-after volunteer whenever the need arose. She was always a faithful and frequent babysitter and the ultimate spectator, attending every sporting event and school activity of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, often leaving one event to attend another as to be fair to all.
After the death of her husband, she made the move to Fox Run and was still able to shepherd her family in the way she always had. The six months that she was able to live at Fox Run was bittersweet in that she enjoyed her new home and friends to the ultimate. The remission of her cancer was short-lived, and her passing was far more rapid than anticipated.
She leaves her loving family of six children and their spouses: Susan and Rick Payne, Mark and Theresa Rupp, Eric Rupp (Lauren Holt), Josie and Bruce Hemmings, Lisa and Greg Hall, Tony and Bernice Rupp; 18 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; two sisters and their spouses: Rosann and Louis Felder of Wakeeney, KS.; Judi and Tom Kingry of Oakville, Ontario, Canada; many nieces, nephews, Godchildren and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband, Bill Rupp; parents, George and Hilda Halbleib; and sister and spouse, Rita and Stan Issinghoff.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2222 23rd Ave., Greeley, on Friday, September 21st beginning with visitation at 10:00am, Rosary at 10:30am, Funeral Mass 11:00am, internment Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3400 W 28th St., Greeley, followed by a luncheon at St. Mary Parish Hall.
Memorials may be given in Joan’s name to Pathways Hospice or Mary’s Cradle in care of the family, 1720 60th Ave., #315, Greeley, CO 80634.
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