Joan Ruth Hirst, 83, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, February 15, 2015, at the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell.

Joan was born on July 19, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Homer and Leora (Pickert) Davis.  She grew up in the Chicago area and graduated from Mt. Prospect High School in the class of 1949.  After high school she attended for 1 year at Grinnell College.  Later, she met, fell in love and was united in marriage to Charles T. Hirst in October 22, 1969 in Houston, Texas.  From this union they created a family, and Joan became mother and homemaker to the Hirst family with her and Charles raising their three children Theodore, William and Ronald.  She worked in the credit card department of several different banks in the Chicago and Houston areas and for several years she work for Western Auto Credit in Houston.  She enjoyed reading, swimming, working with people, Native American Culture and was a strong supporter for Alcoholics Anonymous for many years.  Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving family include her husband Charles of the home, daughter Marsha Harrington of Seattle, Washington, sons Theodore Hirst of Russell, Kansas, William Hirst of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Ronald Hirst and wife Tracy of Arkansas City, Kansas; 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and infant sister and great grandson Daniel Edward Hirst.

A memorial service in celebration of Joan's life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, March 07, 2015, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with Pastor David Jones officiating.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. Friday, March 06, 2015, at the mortuary  with the family present to greet guests from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Friday evening.  Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell is in charge of the memorial services.