Obituary

After a remarkable three-year battle with brain cancer, Joan L. Nowak, 90, of Lee’s Summit, MO, passed peacefully to eternal life on January 5, 2024. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Jerome Nowak; son Steven Nowak, of Lawrence, KS; daughter, Susan Ratigan (Brian) of Lee’s Summit; four grandchildren, Aaron Ingram-Ratigan (Tass) of Kansas City, MO, Dan Ratigan (Sara) of Raymore, MO, Hannah Williamson (Jake) of Louisville, KY, and Matthew Ratigan; a great-granddaughter, Amelia Ratigan; and older brother, Dominic Polczynski, Jr., of Freeburg, IL.

Joan was born August 17, 1933, the only daughter of Susan (Wisniewski) and Dominic Polczynski, Sr. of DuBois, IL. She was a 1951 graduate of Nashville (IL) High School. In 1953, Joan graduated from the Washington University School of Medicine’s Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, becoming the first woman to head the Institute’s pediatric X-ray department. She maintained her registration as an X-ray technician until 2012.

On June 29, 1957, she wed Jerome “Jerry” Nowak at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in DuBois and embraced her role as wife and mother. The couple settled first in Dellwood, MO and later in St. Peters. Devoted to her family’s well-being and her children’s education, Joan was an active volunteer serving as room mother, den mother, and school nurse during her children’s years in elementary school. In later years, Joan and Jerry loved to travel, often visiting Estes Park, CO, a favorite place. Joan enjoyed crafts and quilting and served as Eucharistic Minister at Sts. Joachim and Ann Catholic Church in St. Charles, MO and later at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit. Community service was an important concern for her. She volunteered at the Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Service, did other parish volunteer work, and championed efforts to support new mothers in need. Joan and Jerry moved from St. Peters to Lee’s Summit in 2006, to be nearer to their four grandchildren. The focus of her love and attention, her grandchildren brought vitality to her later years, as she looked forward to attending school performances, sporting events, graduations, and, eventually, weddings.

Joan will be laid to rest on January 11, 2024 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m.; the rosary will be prayed at 10:45 with a funeral Mass immediately following at 11:00.  A private burial service will be held on Friday, January 12 at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Higginsville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joan’s memory to the John Knox Village Foundation (https://www.jkv.org/foundation/), 400 NW Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081. The family requests that donations be designated for the resident activities department at the Village Care Center on the check’s memorandum line.

Arrangements by Langsford Funeral Home, 115 SW 3rd Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063