Joanne K. Farus

Joanne Kaye (Peterson) Farus was born November 20, 1943 in Viborg, South Dakota and died Monday, December 30, 2013, at her home in Claremore, Oklahoma. She courageously fought cancer for the past three and one-half years.

The daughter of Ralph and Marjorie Peterson, she was baptized, confirmed, and married at Bethany Lutheran Church, Viborg, SD, where her funeral service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Joanne attended the University of South Dakota/Springfield where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She taught in various states as she followed her husband during his banking career.

A devoted teacher of 48 years, in Early Childhood, she was awarded “Teacher of the Year” honors in every community in which she taught. In addition to teaching, her legacy to her students was for them to believe in themselves and grow into respectful and caring individuals.
While living in Pierre, South Dakota she was honored as the first recipient chosen as “Career Woman of the Year” by the Business and Professional Women’s Association. Joanne loved, and was an active member, of the PEO Sisterhood. She held many offices including serving as President in four communities. She also was involved in chartering the first PEO Chapter in Ada, Oklahoma where she also served as President. She was a faithful member of the Verdigris United Methodist Church.

Joanne and Tom were the parents of two children: Katherine Anne and Jason Thomas. She was preceded in death by their son, Jason, her parents, Ralph and Marjorie Peterson, her in-laws, Billy and Marian Farus, nephew, James Peterson, and brother-in-law, Bruce Farus.

Survivors include her husband, Tom, daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and Brandon Scales and granddaughters, Karissa Scales of Claremore and Taylor Paige Durr of Ada, Oklahoma. Also surviving are brother, Dale (Bev) Peterson, and sister-in-law, Karen Farus.

She was a devoted wife, mother, teacher, and friend. Blessed be her memory.

Oklahoma arrangements are under the direction of MMS-Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Claremore with South Dakota funeral and burial arrangements under the direction of Viborg Funeral Home.