Joan Loy (Brown) Thaut

Former Hastings resident Joan Loy (Brown) Thaut, 89, passed away December 31, 2023 at Memorial Hospital in Aurora, NE. She was a resident of Harvard Rest Haven, Harvard, NE.  

Services will be 10:30 a.m. January 5, at Butler Volland Chapel in Hastings with Pastor Kathy Uldrich officiating. Burial will be at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Visitation will be 1-7 p.m. Thursday, January 4, with family present 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home; and one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be given to Harvard Rest Haven Activities Department.

Joan was born October 15, 1934 in Sharon, KS to Leonard and Jennie (Hill) Brown. While growing up, the family also lived in White Water, KS, and later moved to a farm north of Roseland, NE which was named Brown's Hill, after her Family. She went to school in White Water, and Roseland. She was the youngest of 5 children, working on the family farm alongside her siblings, doing chores, and tending to the livestock. Joan married Norman Taylor in 1951, to this union there were 4 children: Laura, Randy, Lisa, and Karen. They later divorced. In 1972 she married Robert "Bob" Thaut, and to this union there were 2 children, Kelly, and Cristina. Bob preceded her in death on March 7, 2013.

Joan had many roles in her life over the years. Nursing Assistant, Daycare provider, and  Homemaker, but most importantly, she was a Loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother. Her family, and extended family meant everything to her. She spent many hours rocking babies, reading books, playing games, pitching baseballs, and taking care of Grandchildren. Her home was the Hub for many Birthday parties, she made each Birthday special by making your favorite cake or dessert. Joan and Bob spent many summers camping and fishing in their favorite place, the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Over the years, Sundays were spent with family, playing cards, dominos, and bingo followed by coffee & rolls. Her love for bingo continued even at the Nursing Home. She was a member of the New York Avenue Congregational Church, Bible study group, and had also belonged to the Red Hat Society.

Left to cherish her memory, are her children:

Laura Kent - Hastings, NE

Randy (Cindy) Taylor - Hastings, NE

Lisa Saraceno (Keith) - Lincoln, NE

Karen Krueger - Hastings, NE

Kelly Davis - Lincoln, NE

Cristina (Larry) Thaut - Lincoln, NE

She is also survived by 15 Grandchildren;  19 Great-Grandchildren; 1 Great-Great Grandchild,; sister-in law, Gloria Thaut; many nieces; nephews; friends; and her Harvard Rest Haven family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bob; son-in-law, Gary Kent; 2 sisters; and 2 brothers.