Joann Marie (Huss) Malone, 93, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.
Joann was born December 21, 1929, on the family farm 5 miles west of Herndon, Kansas. She was one of eight children born to John and Emma (Keplinger) Huss. She attended over eight years in rural country schools. She was a graduate of Herndon High School in the Class of ‘47.
Joann was united in marriage to John H. Leitner on June 19, 1948. This union was blessed with a son Bruce. They divorced, and later she met and was united in marriage to Francis Gerald “Tim” Malone on November 28, 1950. This union was blessed with five children: Jerry, Rosalie, Nancy, John, and James. They made their home in Herndon. Tim preceded her in death on September 28, 1986.
Joann was a devoted wife and homemaker for her children. Early in life, she worked in the post office in Herndon. While her boys were in college, she worked for the local IGA Grocery store in Herndon and for Gwen’s Plumbing & Heating in Oberlin. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Christians Mothers in Herndon, KS. Upon moving to Russell in 2002, she was an active parishioner of St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church and the Russell Council of Catholic Women. She enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, square dancing and was a proud member of the Shooting Stars Dance Club. She loved her family and friends but her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the apple of her eye.
Joann’s surviving family include her two daughters, Rosalie Wilkinson (Brad) of Chanute, Kansas, and Nancy Malone of Muskogee, Oklahoma; three sons, Bruce Leitner of Oxford, Georgia, John Malone of Russell, Kansas, and James Malone (Jamie) of Russell, Kansas; ten grandchildren, David Leitner (Audrey) of Conyer, Georgia, Rory Leitner of Germany, Quenton Wynn of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, Jill Henning (Mark) of Naperville, Illinois, James Wynn (Vanessa) of Norman, Oklahoma, Kayla Newman (Todd) of Chanute, Kansas, Randee Olive of Andover, Kansas, Joanna Orschelen (Billy) of Prairie Village, Kansas, Megan Wynn-Jasso (Marco) of Dallas, Texas and Juliana Willis (Ryan) of Overland Park, Kansas; and 18 great grandchildren.
Joann was preceded in death by her parents; husband Tim; three brothers, Donald Huss, John Huss Jr., and Larry Huss; four sisters, Marion Huss, Emalou Sattler, Madonna Anderson and Celene Dunker; and her son Jerry Malone.
Visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday, March 31, 2023, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary. The family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. A Vigil and Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM, Friday at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church.
Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Russell, KS. A graveside service will be held at 3:30 PM, Saturday, April 1, 2023, at the St. Mary, Assumption Cemetery in Herndon.
Memorials have been established with St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Russell and the St. Mary’s Assumption Cemetery Fund in Herndon. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.