Joan E. Waymaster

Joan E. Waymaster, 89, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Main Street Manor in Russell.

Joan was born on the family farm in Dubuque, Kansas, the daughter of Frederic Henry William and Verna Mae (Coffey) Janne. She attended Nicholas and Rolling Prairie Schools and graduated from Dorrance High School. After high school, she graduated from Brown Mackie College in Salina, Kansas, and worked as a secretary. She moved back to Russell in 1960 and met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Fritz Waymaster on May 30, 1966, in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 1952 Fritz and his brother-in-law Carl E. Propp built the Playdium Bowling Alley in Russell, Kansas. Fritz and Joan loved bowling and running the bowling alley together with Fritz taking care of daily operations and Joan taking care of the bills and bookkeeping. They were longtime active members of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell. Joan and Fritz enjoyed traveling, having visited 6 continents and over 60 foreign countries including Canada and Mexico as well as traveling all over the United States in their motor home. Besides bowling, she enjoyed golf, bridge, dancing and working in her garden.

Surviving family includes nephews Lance Waymaster and wife Mary Pat of Russell, Kansas, Mike Waymaster and wife Diane of Bunker Hill, Kansas, Troy Janne of Atlanta, Georgia, Steve Janne of The Villages, Florida; and sister-in-law, Nancy Janne of The Villages, Florida.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fritz on April 12, 2015, and her brother Gene L. Janne.

A celebration of Joan’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, April 03, 2026, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell, Kansas, with burial immediately following at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell. A Memorial has been established with the V.F.W. Post #6240 Ladies Auxiliary. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.