Joan Tyson

Joan Tyson, 82 ,of Ottawa, Kansas died on Saturday, October 11, 2008 at Village Manor Nursing Home in Ottawa, Kansas. She was born on Thursday, August 19, 1926, in Ottawa, Kansas. She was the daughter of Alvin and Esther (Hendrickson) Shepherd. She was a lifelong resident of Ottawa. Joan graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1944. She attended Ottawa University, Washburn University, and Neosho County Community College. She began her business career in 1952 and retired in 1989. She was a fulltime bookkeeper for Ottawa Savings & Loan and, later, Franklin Savings. In 1978, she was the first woman officer, working as a treasurer and, later, vice-president. Joan was a member of First Baptist Church and served with several civic activities of Ottawa, including Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce; past president of Franklin County Unit of American Heart Association; League of Women Voters; past president of Ottawa Business and Professional Women, serving as 1985 Woman of the Year and State Treasurer; Soroptimist International of Ottawa; Ransom Memorial Hospital Auxiliary; chairman, Advisory Board of East Central Vocational Cooperative; president, Ottawa Municipal Auditorium Authority; 4-H Club project leader; Friends of the Library; Ottawa Community Arts Council; Kansas League of Savings Institutions Education Committee; National Society of Controllers & Financial Officers of Savings Institutions; National Association of Purchasing Agents; Board of Directors for the Kansas Municipal Energy Agency; voting delegate to the League of Kansas Municipalities; ambassador to the National League of Cities; and Who`s Who of American Women. She also served on the Ottawa City Commission, first elected in April 1991 and re-elected in both the 1995 and 1997 elections, serving the City Commission a total of eight years from April 1991 through April 1999. She was elected by the Commission to serve the position of Mayor from March 1992 through April 1993. She was also selected to serve two terms as Mayor Pro Tem in 1991-1992 and again in 1998-1999. On August 31, 1946, Joan was united in marriage with Everte Tyson in Ottawa, Kansas. He preceded her in death. Survivors include: Daughter & son-in-law-Rebecca & Thurman Wolfe of Perry, Kan. Daughter & son-in-law-Sarah & Dave Meredith of Ottawa, Kan. Grandson-Benjamin T. Wolfe of Lawrence, Kan. Grandson-Jacob R. Meredith of Ottawa, Kan. Granddaughter-Katherine J. Meredith of Ottawa, Kan. She was preceded in Death by: Husband-Everte Tyson Father-Alvin C. Shepherd Mother-Esther H. (Hendrickson) Shepherd Sister-Barbara Jane Morrison Sister-Dorothy Goodley Brother-William A. Shepherd SERVICES: Graveside services will be held at Highland Cemetery in Ottawa at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 17, 2008. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mrs. Tyson at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 9:00 a.m. Thursday to the service hour. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Midland Care Hospice, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.