JoAnn Arnold

Our beloved mother and grandmother, JoAnn Arnold, 76, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16, 2026, surrounded by her family in Lawrence, Kansas.

JoAnn was born on November 8, 1949, in Lawrence, Kansas, to Charles Mitchell and LeNore (Hill) Mitchell. She graduated from Baldwin High School with the Class of 1967.

Throughout her lifetime, JoAnn built a legacy of hard work, generosity and caring for others. She began her career with Hallmark and Kansas Color Press in Lawrence. She later managed Bell Automotive and Bell Auto Parts for many years before embracing her entrepreneurial spirit to include running several successful restaurants.

JoAnn owned and operated the Baldwin Dari Ring, a local favorite, from 1993 to 2000. After a brief semi-retirement, she opened S & J Catering and later became the owner and operator of the Wooden Spoke restaurant. In 2019, she officially retired, passing the business on to her daughter, Sandy Roller. Even in retirement, she remained a familiar and welcoming presence in the restaurant, often in the kitchen or greeting guests. For JoAnn, food was more than a profession; it was her love language, and she is remembered by family and friends as always having a seat open at her table. All were welcome and there was always enough.

Outside of her work, JoAnn found joy in cooking for her family, rebuilding old hot rods, and caring for her flowers. She had a special place in her heart for animals, particularly her three beloved Great Pyrenees dogs; Ellie, Baby and Duke and before them, Maggie and Millie. She was actively involved in fostering dogs and once nurtured a neglected & starving Great Pyrenees back to health, eventually adopting him as her own. Above all, JoAnn cherished her family and considered them to be her greatest legacy. She was the heart and soul of her family, the center of their world, and took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her absence will always be felt, but so will her love.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and LeNore Mitchell, and her brothers, Charles Mitchell and Thomas Mitchell.

JoAnn is survived by her significant other, Kenneth Bell of Wellsville, Kansas; her son, Jacob Arnold of Grain Valley, Missouri; her daughters, Sandy Roller of Baldwin City, Kansas, Jennifer Schnitz of Baldwin City, Kansas, and Emily Crum of Trophy Club, Texas; her brother, Jim Mitchell of Baldwin City, Kansas; her sister, Peg Burkdoll of Lyndon, Kansas; her grandchildren, Sydney Cross, Sophia Byers, Chance Puckett, Zach Crum, Ethan Crum, River Arnold, and Alex Schnitz; as well as seven great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 28th, from 1:00–4:00 PM at the Wooden Spoke in Baldwin City, KS. Please feel free to stop by at any time during these hours to spend a few moments with the family. A small private family burial will take place at Oakwood Cemetery in Baldwin City, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in JoAnn's honor to Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri, sent in care of Lamb-Roberts-Price Funeral Home, P.O. Box 64, Baldwin City, KS 66006. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.lamb-roberts.com