Joan Darlene Schiffbauer, 81, of Holton, Kansas, passed away on June 2, 2025 at KU Medical Center, surrounded by family. She faced a long and brave battle with cancer with amazing strength and grace.

Born on July 10, 1943, to Joaquin and Hazel Alvarnaz, Joan spent her early years and began her family in Southern California.

On her 22nd birthday, July 10, 1965, she married Bob Schiffbauer. Their love and commitment saw them through nearly 60 remarkable years of marriage, a milestone they would have celebrated next month. Their life together took them and their children from California to Connecticut, before they settled in Holton to be closer to family. Together, they built a beautiful life, marked by love, laughter, and resilience.

For Joan, a quiet woman, her greatest achievement was her family. As a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she was always there for her children, actively involved in their lives and later in the lives of her grandchildren. She created countless cherished memories: sharing peaceful mornings of coffee and bird watching with her husband, playing Farkle with the family, and embarking on cross-country road trips—journeys she occasionally undertook solo. She loved to cuddle up with her grandchildren for reading, and she delighted in visiting with them or playing alongside them when the opportunity arose. The heartfelt connection she shared with her family will be deeply missed and forever treasured. This bond was so strong that, as her journey neared its end, those she had poured her heart into traveled from across the country to ensure she was surrounded by the love she had so freely given.

Joan is survived by her devoted husband, Bob, of the home; their children, Debbie Lencoski of Painesville, Ohio, Robert Schiffbauer of Olathe, and Teri Watkins of Holton; a daughter-in-love Lisa Pate; her grandchildren, Jade (Tony) Cingoranelli, Kyle (Ashley) Schiffbauer, Justin (Sally) Schiffbauer, Leslie Lencoski, Ryan (Megan) Lencoski, Joe Lencoski, Jack Ryff, and Lucy Ryff; and nine great-grandchildren. Her spirit and the best of her will live on through them.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, sister and son-in-law.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 6th at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Holton. Joan will lie in state Thursday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Holton, where a Rosary will be prayed at 5:30 p.m., followed by visitation until 8:00. Memorials are suggested to the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Jackson County and may be sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 1034, Holton, KS 66436. On-line condolences may be made at chapeloaksfuneralhome.com