Barbara "Joan" (Fry) Rush, 86, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Thursday afternoon, January 9, 2014, at William Newton Hospital.

Born May 26, 1927, to Mary Margaret (McCardwell) Fry and Robert Joseph Fry in Winfield at William Newton Hospital. She was raised and received her education in Winfield, graduating from Winfield High School in 1945.

She married Morton Wayne Rush on August 26, 1951 at the First Baptist Church by Reverend Clarence Oldfield. They enjoyed 55 years together on August 26, 2006. To this union two daughters were born, Karen Joan Rush and Lucia Kay (Rush) Balzer. She is also survived by one sister, Mary Joyce Patrick of Hurricane, Utah. Three grandsons Adam Balzer and wife, Kim of Lyndon, Robert Balzer of Newkirk, and Brian Balzer and wife Carol of Arkansas City, one great-grandson Hunter Anderson, eight nephews, Gary Bruce Ehmke, Van Robert Patrick, Nathan Biddle, Todd Rush, Aaron Rush, Greg Rush, Marion Rush and Michael Rush, two nieces, Denise Rush-Smith and Beth Ann Ball, one brother-in-law, Eli Rush and wife, Ramona and two sisters-in-law, Iris Biddle and Shirley Rush. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one brother Robert Lee Fry, and a sister Roberta Jean Ehmke.

Joan started work with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company on August 6, 1945 as an operator. She worked for Southwestern Bell off and on as a Business Office Rep. for several years. She worked for the City of Winfield for 21 years as dispatcher at the Operations Center, she retired June of 1989.

Joan was a member of the First Baptist Church in Winfield. She served as a Sunday School Teacher and volunteered in several capacities at the church. She was very involved with the Council on Aging, starting with volunteer work in 1994. She worked as a relief dispatcher for the shuttle bus and was involved with Phone Pal program for several years. She was one of the city representatives on the board of directors for the Council on Aging, and was serving as Treasurer. Joan was also a Past Matron of Queen City Chapter #138 Order of the Eastern Star and 60 year member. She served in various offices and was Worthy Matron in 1960. She was a past president of the Social Order of Beauceant and was also a 60 year member of that organization Joan was Worthy President in 1963 and 1976. She was a 4H leader for several years. Joan was a people person and enjoyed visiting with everyone. She worked many hours keeping track of classmates and with help of other officers, planning the reunion of the Winfield High School graduating class of 1945. She was involved with Friendship Meals with Wayne and helped deliver meals to the homebound. Mrs. Rush also volunteered as relief manager at times when needed. She helped Wayne for several years when he was secretary for the Masonic Lodge and the York Rite bodies.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Monday, January 13, 2014 at the First Baptist Church in Winfield. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery in Winfield. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M., on Sunday, January 12, 2014. The family will greet visitors that afternoon.

A memorial has been established in Joan's name for the Council on Aging. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.