Joyce Vanhaverbeke

Joyce I. Vanhaverbeke, 92, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2025, with her loving family at her side.

She was born January 7, 1933, in Teterville, Kansas to Ralph and Lois (Baldwin) Spain. Joyce was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, Duane “Mike” Vanhaverbeke; her newborn son, Kevin Michael; her brother, Richard Spain; and her sister, Dorthea Riddle.

Joyce is survived by her daughter, Michele Bazille and husband, Jeff; two granddaughters, Hope McCort and husband, Marc; and Rachel Jimison and husband, Josh; her precious great grandson, Hudson McCort; her brothers, William and James Spain; and many nieces and nephews.

Joyce grew up in Teterville, Kansas. She graduated from Eureka High School in 1950. She and Mike were high school sweethearts and always side by side. People commented that you hardly ever saw one without the other.

After marrying, they lived in Valparaiso, Florida while Mike was in the U.S. Air Force, followed by Manhattan, Kansas, where Joyce put Mike through engineering school at Kansas State University. They settled in Overland Park, Kansas, where she worked as a switchboard operator for many years.

Joyce loved spending time with family and friends, and her greatest joy was being a “Nanny” and “Great Nanny”. She was known for her excellent cooking and immaculate home. Some of her signature dishes included fried chicken, wacky cake, and homemade ice cream.

A private family interment will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025, with Father Ken VanHaverbeke as celebrant, at Greenwood Cemetery in Eureka next to her beloved husband and son.