Joan Lucille (Nofsinger) Palmer, age 91, of Concordia, KS, left this earthly life on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, Manhattan, KS. She was born on December 9, 1934, in Sauk County, WI, the 3rd of six children born to George L. & Audra O. (Warner) Nofsinger. She graduated from Miltonvale High School in 1952 and attended Miltonvale Wesleyan College. She married Everett E. Palmer on November 26, 1954, in Harrison, AR.
From the early days of her marriage, Joan chose to keep the home fires burning as a dedicated homemaker and mother while Everett took to the highways as a truck driver to support the family. Together, Joan and Everett raised three daughters: Sheila, Sharon, and Marilyn. The family planted roots in Bentonville, AR, in the 1960s. Joan and Everett were members of Rogers Wesleyan Church, where Joan served as treasurer, Sunday school teacher, and board member. In 2008, Joan and Everett moved from Bentonville, AR, to Concordia, KS, to live out their retirement years.
Joan was a woman of deep faith in Christ and lived with quiet courage. She was an encourager and supporter who prayed for her loved ones daily. Joan enjoyed pastel drawing, sewing, reading, and cooking. She spent countless hours sharing these joys with her daughters and grandchildren. They will remember handmade gifts and baking cookies, breads, and cinnamon rolls. Joan and Everett also enjoyed traveling the country together in their RV to visit family.
Joan is survived by her husband of 71 years, Everett Palmer; her daughters, Sheila McCullough (Phil), Sharon Rovenstine (Allen), and Marilyn Redmond (David); her sister, Ruth Sodon; 13 grandchildren: Tyler Rovenstine (Jaime), Amber Miller (Joe), Aubrie DeLisle (Bill), Brock Rovenstine (Grace), Laura Svatora (Greg), Wesley McCullough (Taylor), Kelly Barth (Brendan), Jacob Redmond (Katie), Emily Macy (Nathaniel), Allison Redmond, Christian Redmond, Diego Redmond, and Noah Redmond; and 21 great-grandchildren: Caleb, June, and Levi Miller; Kaylie, Will, and Walter DeLisle; Frances and Fred Rovenstine; Summer and Benjamin Svatora; Jackson, Paisley, Charlotte, and Lucy McCullough; Lux and Nova Barth; Eliana, Merrick, and Kaia Redmond; Audra Macy; and Beckham Redmond.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, George L. and Audra O. (Warner) Nofsinger; her sisters, Florace P. Nofsinger, Faith G. Nofsinger, and Evangeline H. Duvall; her brother, Duane E. Nofsinger; granddaughter-in-law, Heather (Copley) McCullough; and infant twin great-grandsons, Luke and Joey Svatora.
A memorial service was held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Concordia Wesleyan Church, Concordia, KS, with Pastor David Redmond officiating. Immediately following the memorial service, the family received visitors until 3:00 p.m. Joan will be interred at a later date in the Benton County Memorial Gardens, Rogers, AR.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Global Partners of the Wesleyan Church or Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community, in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, 325 W. 6th St., PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901 is in charge of arrangements.
