Joyce Winter Bardeen

Joyce Winter Bardeen, 75, of Olathe, Kansas, died on Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She was born on September 5, 1948 in Cleveland, Ohio to Howard and Fern (Sperry) Winter.

Growing up near her grandparents, she spent summers working at their farm and fruit stand. She claimed to have read every book in her junior high library. After graduation from Champion High School (Ohio), she earned a B.A. in English from Grove City College (Pennsylvania), where she was on the synchronized swimming team. She received a M.A. in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary (New Jersey), and was a Director of Christian Education. She met her husband, Bob Bardeen, during her first year at Seminary on January 29, 1971, 10:15pm. They fell in love immediately and got married at Champion Presbyterian Church (Ohio) on September 4, 1971.

Joyce followed Bob to serve in many churches, following his ordination as a Presbyterian pastor. They lived in Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, California, Kansas, and Pennsylvania. Upon retirement, they served interim positions in Illinois, Colorado, and North Carolina. They finally settled back in Kansas where Joyce could select her own church - Village Presbyterian on Antioch (VOA).

Joyce loved to quilt. She designed her own quilts and followed the patterns of other quilters. She was thankful for all the quilters who taught her the secrets of handwork, doing corners, and measuring twice and cutting once. Joyce was a founding member of the Little Balkans Quilt Guild and also belonged to the Blue Valley and Olathe quilt guilds.

Joyce was active in PEO where she served as President in two chapters. She was ordained as a Presbyterian elder in 1973 and served on councils and committees of many churches. She also taught the Presbyterian Women Bible study at VOA for years and sang alto in her church choirs. Joyce led mission sewing projects and encouraged numerous women to take part. She spoke about her commitment to Jesus Christ with freedom and grace and was committed to justice and joy.

Joyce loved her husband, three children, and their families. She made three quilts for each of her fourteen grandchildren, and made sure to have many quilts at home. Each season she rotated her bed quilts, wall hangings, and put out extra quilts for comfort on cold evenings.

Joyce is survived by her husband, Robert Bardeen; children, Sarah (Jeremy) Gabrielson, Rachel (Chris) Flannery, and James (Regan) Buck Bardeen; grandchildren, Caleb Gabrielson, Joshua Gabrielson, Abigail Gabrielson, Elisabeth Gabrielson, Havilah Gabrielson, Iona Gabrielson, Rowan Gabrielson, Cypress Gabrielson, Zachariah Flannery, Maggie Flannery, Caroline Flannery, Simeon Buck Bardeen, Luke Buck Bardeen, and Evalyn Buck Bardeen.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Scott Winter.

Joyce was cremated at her request. The service will be at 11am, Wednesday, August 21 at Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch (14895 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, KS 66221) with visitation from 9am to 11am. Refreshments will be available in the Fellowship Hall during visitation, where you can view many quilts made by Joyce. Immediately after the service, the family will proceed to the Village Presbyterian Church (6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208) for a private committal service in the Columbarium.

In Joyce’s memory, you may give flowers for the service or contribute to the newly established Village Presbyterian Church on Antioch Choir Fund.

To share a special memory of Joyce or leave a message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.