JoAn Gum lived (in her own words) “a very interesting life.” Born in the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley on March 31, 1931, she moved to Southern California in her early 20s. She lived in Las Vegas before settling in Sterling, KS, 55 years ago with her husband, Hershel. She wondered then if this small town could hold her big personality. Instead, she found warm, loving friends, won over by her quick wit, homemade meals, and her gift for storytelling. She passed peacefully at home on November 12, 2025, at the age of 94.
JoAn is preceded in death by her parents, Hugh Gordon and Lula Mae Miller Settle, and her husband, Hershel. Her children survive: Susan Ziegler and Leslie Wolfe (Charlie) of Sterling, Gary Rosensteel (Peggy) of St. Louis, and Carolyn Bennett of Hutchinson, as well as her six grandchildren: Tricia Ziegler Moss (Mark) of Snow Camp, NC; Lydia Rosensteel and Aaron Rosensteel of St. Louis; Wendy Wolfe (Cheryl) of Hutchinson and Travis Kateley (fiancée Alana) of Sterling and William Kateley of Wichita; and Alicia Meer (Henry) of New York City. She has nine great-grandchildren.
In the course of her life, JoAn worked as a homemaker, bank teller, property manager, and cook. But she found her passion at the young age of 65 when she co-founded a catering company, Black Tie Affair. JoAn and her partner, Vivian Gaylon, worked tirelessly, serving memorable meals of all sizes and varieties until JoAn retired at age 80. She collected cookbooks, but rarely followed a recipe, and you were in for a culinary adventure when she said, “You know what sounds good?”
Along with her passion for cooking, JoAn enjoyed decorating and dressing to the nines. She had the gift of total recall and a story for every occasion. A lifelong bridge player, she was an active participant in her bridge group until the end of her life.
The family sincerely thanks Traditions Health Hospice for above-and-beyond care. Hutchinson Funeral Chapel and Crematorium is serving the family.
A memorial service will be held at Studio 96 in Sterling at 3 pm on Friday, November 21, 2025. Visitation to follow from 4-6 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to Hearts For Homes of Rice County, 220 Country View Lane, Sterling, KS, 67579. Arrangements and care entrusted to Hutchinson Funeral Chapel & Crematory.