Joan Martha Bronaugh

Joan Martha Bronaugh, 97, of Topeka, Kansas, formerly of Paxico and Wamego, passed away Thursday, July 31, 2025, at the Stormont-Vail Health Center in Topeka. She was a lifelong resident of the area.

Joan was born on April 2, 1928, in rural Paxico, the daughter of Clarence “Bob” and Faye (Blair) Buchmeier. She attended the local grade school, graduated from Paxico High School in 1946 and studied education at Pittsburgh State College.

Joan married Robert “Buck” Bronaugh on March 6, 1948, in Topeka. They shared sixty-three years together, living their lives and raising their family until his death on July 18, 2011.

Joan worked at and retired in 1990 from the First National Bank (Stockgrowers State Bank) in Alma. She started as a teller and worked her way to Vice President Cashier, as well as a loan officer; positions rarely held by women in those days.

Joan and Buck lived several years in Paxico and moved to Wamego in 1990. Joan moved to Topeka ten years ago. She was a member of the Paxico United Methodist Church and then the Wamego United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Portia Club, GFWC, the United Methodist Women and the Wamego Senior Citizens. She volunteered for many local organizations and served several years as chairman for the Methodist Thrift Shop.

Joan is survived by her sons; Ray Bronaugh (Alma), Carrollton, Texas, Rodney Bronaugh (Judy), Paola, Kansas, and Richard Bronaugh, Topeka, Kansas; her daughter-in-law, Judy Bronaugh, Carrollton, Texas and her grandchildren, Monique Schulz (Gerhard), Jared Bronaugh (Melissa), Ryan Bronaugh, Melissa Josenberger (Dionandre), Mandy Floersch (Austin), Angel Tinnon, and Joel Bronaugh; and fifteen great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her son, Randy Bronaugh, and her sisters, Marilyn Werner and Joyce Buchmeier.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am, Friday, August 8, 2025, at the United Methodist Church in Paxico. A lunch will follow the service. Burial will be held at Wamego City Cemetery at 2:00 pm. Joan will lie-in- state beginning at 3:00 pm Thursday, August 7, 2025, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home in Wamego, where the family will greet friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. They suggest memorial contributions to either the Wamego United Methodist Church or the Paxico United Methodist Church. Checks can be made to the organization of your choice and sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.