Joan Rosalie Wood was born on September 18, 1925 in Fowler, Kansas to Leo Jacob and Katherine Frances (Hoffman) Gerber.  When Joan was eight years old, the Gerber family journeyed east.  Upon seeing the beautiful Catholic Church, they decided that Danville, Kansas was the perfect place to raise the family of twelve.  Joan attended the St. Rose Catholic School in Danville and then went on to Harper High School, graduating with the class of 1942.

On October 30, 1945, Joan married Raymond Wedman and they began their life on a farm near Danville, raising a family of three.  After her mother passed, Joan cared for her father (Pop) for eleven years.  She helped on the family farm and delivered wonderful lunchtime meals to the field that are still talked about today.  Joan was an avid quilter, loved to go dancing, was active in the Danville Altar Society, and enjoyed spending time grandchildren – the highlight of her life.

After 42 years of marriage, Raymond passed away in 1987.  Joan married Jack Williams on December 12, 1992.  After 12 years, this marriage ended with Jack's passing on December 16, 2004.  From her love of dancing, Joan met Bill Wood and they were married on November 27, 2009.  The couple moved to Dove Estates in Goddard, Kansas and this is where Bill passed away on August 10, 2019.  Joan enjoyed the community living until her health conditions required more care, causing her move to the nursing home.

Joan passed away at Cheney Golden Age Home on August 30, 2022 at the age of 96 years, 11 months, and 12 days.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Katherine Gerber; an infant son; daughter, Carolyn Wenger; and siblings: Clemens Gerber, Leona Olivier, Irene Marie Metzinger, Arthur "Bud" Gerber, Estella Elizabeth Olivier, Catherine Schmidt, Leo Gerber Jr, Daniel Gerber, Pauline Hand, and Gerald Gerber.  She is survived by her children, Barbara Ast and her husband, Virgil of Nevada, Missouri and David Wedman and his wife, Carla of Danville, Kansas; sister, Esther Huslig of Lee Summit, Missouri; son-in-law, Richard Wenger (Lydia) of Kalama, Washington; grandchildren: Patrick Wenger (Sheila), Scott Wenger (Jennifer), Jason Ast (Kelly), Janna Robertson (Blake), Lanie Beetsma (Brad), Kyle Wedman, Kendall Wedman (Holly), and Kayla Marquart (Chris); twenty great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Recitation of the Rosary is 7:00 p.m. Sunday, September 4, 2022 and Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 5, 2022, both at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Danville, of the St. Joan of Arc Parish Community of Harper County with Father Bob Pinninti officiating.

Private family burial will take place at Fairview Cemetery, Danville.

Memorial contributions made to the Joan Wood Memorial Fund, will be used for a Blessed Virgin Shrine in Joan's memory, and can sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas  67058.