Joan Dybing

Joan Dybing died peacefully in her sleep at home on April 5, 2016, with her husband of nearly 63 years beside her.

She was born on May 28, 1932, to Jerry and LaVeta Rossmiller in Benkelman, NE. Her father passed away when she was a few months old, and her mother and family continued to live on the farm for several years before LaVeta married Dave Jones and moved to town. Joan attended Colorado A & M College where she met her husband, C. Dean Dybing. They were married on June 14, 1953.

Joan was preceded in death by her grandparents, stepfather, brother, sister and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her husband; sons, Stephen of Palmerston New Zealand, Parry of Cheyenne WY, and Kyle (Anne) of LaPorte IN; daughter Jody (Frank) Mays of Okemos MI; grandchildren, Grace and Olivia Dybing and George, Nicole, and Elijah Mays; sister, Judy (Larry) Moomey of Lexington NE; brother, David (Sandy) Jones of Osmond NE; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

After receiving her BS degree in Home Economics, Joan taught nursery school in Ft. Collins, CO and Davis, CA while her husband attended graduate school. Thereafter, Joan was a homemaker in Rapid City, SD and Brookings, SD where her husband served in the Air Force and then was adjunct member of the Plant Science Department, SD State University, respectively. During the Family’s 40 years in Brookings, Joan was active in First Lutheran Church, church women, community and university organizations with special emphasis on music and art. In early years at Brookings the family did much tent camping throughout the western US National Parks. Later, Joan and her husband started attending stage performances of opera in Minneapolis, MN during the Metropolitan Opera spring tours. This led them to also visit performances in Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, and, after relocating to Grand Junction in 2001, Santa Fe. They also enjoyed foreign travel and made several trips to Europe where Joan especially enjoyed visiting art museums. The Newcomers Club, particularly the dinner, book, and needlecraft groups, has been her favorite activity in Grand Junction.

Joan was a very outgoing, always smiling person who never complained throughout various health situations. She especially enjoyed meeting, talking to, and being with other people. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by her family and friends. All of her family will be forever united with her through the Christmas Stockings which she knitted with love and gave for many years to each new family member, whether new baby or new souse.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 pm Monday, April 11, at Callahan-Edfast. Additional services will be held in Benkelman, NE on Saturday, April 16.

In lieu of lowers the family suggests contributions to Hope West or other charity of choice.