JoAnn Hartter

JoAnn Hartter, 81, of Fairview, Kansas, died January 13, 2026, at the Apostolic Christian Nursing Home in Sabetha, Kansas, with her family by her side. JoAnn was born on November 23, 1944, in Sabetha to Kenneth and Marion (Flott) Wittwer.

JoAnn was raised in the Honey Creek community of Richardson County, Nebraska, where she attended grade school and the Zion Church in rural Dawson, Nebraska. She graduated from Sabetha High School in 1963. On January 12, 1964, she married the love of her life, Harvey Hartter. During the early years of their marriage, the family lived in El Paso, Texas, and Topeka, Kansas. Following Harvey’s honorable discharge from the United States Army, they returned to Fairview in 1970, where they raised their family on a farm north of town. Together, they welcomed two cherished daughters, Christine and Elizabeth.

JoAnn was renowned for her contagious kindness, whimsical humor, and selfless nature. She was the light of her grandchildren’s lives and took them on countless adventures. Whenever her grandchildren were sick, they begged for Grandma Jo, who always arrived with homemade chicken noodle soup, stuffed animals, movies, candy, and boundless affection.

JoAnn treasured her pets, laughter, licorice, travel, and time spent with her family. She also adored nature and felt at home among flowers, sunsets, drifting clouds, and forest critters. Curious and creative, she was fond of film and music, especially Elvis Presley. She was generous and open-minded — though with a few firm exceptions: heights, roller coasters, and snakes. A seasoned cook, she spent much of her life working in kitchens and caring for others through food. JoAnn deeply loved God, with whom she felt a fierce and abiding connection, and her faith guided her throughout her life.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents; her son-in-law, Paul Grote; her sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Richard VonBergen; and her brothers, Gary Wittwer and Randy Wittwer.

JoAnn is survived by her husband, Harvey at their home in rural Fairview; her two daughters, Christine (JR) Isch of Sabetha and Elizabeth (Roger) Brey of Fairview; her four grandchildren, Briana (Logan) Hall, Dylan Grote, Nicole (Kurt) Hamilton, and Nolan Brey; her four great-grandchildren, Garrett Hall, Grayson Hall, Lyla Hamilton, and Hudson Hamilton; her sister, Janelle Jackson of Yuma, Arizona; and her sister-in-law, Pam Wittwer of Falls City, Nebraska.

JoAnn will lie in state on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Popkess Mortuary in Sabetha. A private family funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the United Church of Christ in Fairview, Kansas. Interment will be made in the Isely Cemetery north of Fairview. Memorial contributions are suggested in JoAnn’s name to the United Church of Christ in Fairview, and sent in care of Popkess Mortuary, 823 Virginia Street, Sabetha, Kansas 66534.