JoAnn Straube Field

JoAnn Straube Field was born August 6th, 1934, to Rosemund Richards Straube and Oscar Max Straube III, of Payway Feed Mills and formerly Nutrena.

She went to Bryant, Notre Dame de Sion and Barstow. She attended Bennett Jr. College in Millbrook, NY. Her art history BA was from KU, where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. She finished school at the Sorbonne in Paris and the University of Madrid. She traveled the world her whole life, speaking fluent French, Spanish and Italian. In the 60's, he began working for American Express, in NYC, where she developed their initial customized personal international travel program. She moved back to Kansas City and married Lyman Field, attorney. They had one daughter. JoAnn then earned an MA from UMKC in counseling. While working for the KC Mental Health Association, she developed Concern Counts, a public health program focused on the dangers of stress. One of KC’s primary fund raisers for mental health advocacy for 50 years, she was also an advisor to the National Institute for Mental Health Initiatives. Among the many local boards she served on were Truman Medical Center, Crittenton, and Christmas in October. She was founding president of the BOTAR organization. Her second passion was empowering women. She helped develop and served on the advisory board of Washington DC’s International Microfinance Organization, FINCA (Foundation for International Community Assistance). Her advocacy for others earned her many awards and honors. She was a member of the National Women's Donor Network, KC’s Women’s Foundation, the Central Exchange and the Junior League. She was a member of KCCC, the Carriage Club, the River Club and the Nelson’s Society of Fellows. She loved art museums. She was a voracious networker and constantly brought people together to unite them in goals of humanitarian service. Raised Catholic, she evolved a strong faith, albeit unconventional, and was a long time member of several prayer groups, including the Watering Hole. She was a tournament tennis player in her youth and a good golfer. JoAnn loved a party and tried to bring fun everywhere she went. She had a worldwide circle of devoted friends. Her fierce strength of character was inspiring to many.

She is pre-deceased by her husband, Lyman Field, her brother, Oscar Max Straube III, and her nephews, Oscar Max Straube IV and David Field Oliver. She leaves behind a niece, Jan Straube, and a great-nephew, Andrew Straube. JoAnn is also survived by her loving daughter.

Big gratitude to Yasmin Scott and the wonderful nursing staff at Bishop Spencer Place and KC Hospice for her fine care.