Joan Bussell

Joan "Jo" M. Bussell, 89, Lawrence, died on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, in Lawrence, from complications of a stroke.

Jo was born January 7, 1929 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Lawrence and Myrtle (Crawford) Harrison.

She received her Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Central Michigan University.

After college, she worked as a social worker and at Michigan State University. She married Robert H. Bussell December 16, 1950 in Capac, MI. He preceded her in death July 16, 1976. After moving to Lawrence in 1963, she worked in book processing at the Lawrence Public Library. and was a secretary in the Education Department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Jo worked at the hospital for 22 years, retiring at age 75.

Jo loved attending her grandchildren’s events, was a devoted KU basketball fan, enjoyed music, especially jazz music, and contemporary art. She was an avid reader of British mysteries, liked attending the theatre, and traveling.

Survivors include her three daughters, Jackie Bussell, Lawrence, Debra (Jack) Price, Rockville, MD, Marci Schroeder, Lawrence; son, Jim (Merlinda) Bussell, Great Mills, MD; stepson, Rob Wike, Lawrence; five grandchildren, Daniel Price, Jared Price, Janet Bussell, Michael Bussell and Erica Schroeder; a sister, Carol Schroeder, Capac, MI; a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Kaufman, Port Huron, MI; and a brother-in-law, Bill Bussell, Austin, TX. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Tom Schroeder and long-time companion, Edward L. Wike.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, August 1, at 11:00 a.m., at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence. Private burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Visiting Nurses Association Hospice Care or Star Living and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com.