Joan Thomasina Humes Vignatelli
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Joanie Vignatelli, 90, passed away on October 10, 2024, with her loving family at her side. A Funeral Mass for Joanie will be held at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the St Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, 1631 Crescent Rd, Lawrence, KS. The family will greet friends beginning at 3:30 pm.
Joanie was born in Arma, Kansas, on December 18, 1933, to Tom and Annie (Pifari) Humes. Joanie married the love of her life, Gene Vignatelli, on July 31, 1954, in Franklin, Kansas.
Joanie and Gene enjoyed hosting KU tailgates and having their home filled with the love and laughter of family and friends. For many years, she worked as a para-educator helping special needs children. Joanie was an excellent cook, candymaker, and artist. Her creativity led her from one hobby to the next: sewing, ceramics, oil painting, jewelry making, and knitting. In recent years, she was well-known for generously sharing her famous peanut clusters and fudge.
Joanie wore many hats throughout her lifetime, but her greatest pleasure was that of Wife, Mother, and Nona. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her greatest sense of pride. She was always present at their sporting events, school performances, and birthday parties. Life with Nona was filled with fun, food, and lots of love. Her generosity, kindness and love touched many lives. Joanie is preceded in death by Gene (January 12, 1998), her parents, and sister, Joanne Vignatelli.
Joanie is survived by her four children: Debbie (Richard Konzem), Becky (Bob Krattli), Brad(Mary), and Pam (Doug Edmonds); six grandchildren: Sarah Krattli Collins (Austin), Anna Krattli Duncan (Dan), Martha Krattli Avery (George), Nick Vignatelli (Blair), Kate Vignatelli, and Josie Vignatelli (fiancé Tom Walsh); and seven great-grandchildren: Eloise and Genevieve Collins, Nora and Everett Avery, and Jack, Hadley, and Chloe Vignatelli.
The family wishes to express our most sincere gratitude to Dr. Eric Huerter and Fr. Mick Mulvany for their loving care and support provided to Joanie and her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joanie’s name to the ‘Gene Vignatelli Football Scholarship c/o KU Endowment’ and may be sent to Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13 th St, Lawrence, KS 66044
For more information or to post a condolence go to: warrenmcelwain.com
Joanie: Your smile and laughter filled the room. You were very positive when you spoke and shared your talents with everyone you met. Your family and friends will always remember Joanie and share many wonderful memories together.
Joanie was a ray of sunshine in the lives of all who knew her. She made one feel like family and was always so giving and caring. Our hearts go out to you, and please know we are thinking of you during this painful time. Cathy & Chris
Pam, our thoughts are with you and your family. Your mother sounds like an amazing women.
Her husband and family are accepting her with love and open arms.
Prayers 💙 🙏 💙
My heart goes out to the Vignatelli family. Joanie was such a fun, caring, giving woman. Joanie was a dear friend of my mom, Donna. As a kid I loved hearing the two of them hanging out and belly laughing. Hopefully the girls will see each other again.🙏🏻 I will always cherish the memories our family had with Joanie and her family. ❤️
My thoughts and prayers are with you all
Dear Debbie, I am so sorry to hear of your Mothers passing. I remember the grief one feels when loosing a parent. Remember she will always be close because of all the memories you have of her. May God promise of peace be with you and your family.
I had the pleasure of teaching with Joanie at JMS. When she found out that my Mom’s family was from Mulberry, KS we had many wonderful conversations about Southeast Kansas, coal mining, recipes , sports, and family history. Joanie was always very kind, professional, and fun to work with. My sympathies to her entire family.
Such joyful memories of the Vignatellis and Joyces at Pomona Lake!
We are saddened by the passing of Joanie and offer our sympathies to everyone in the family. She was truly loving and gracious, as reflected in each of her children. Her legacy will live through her wonderful family, whom we have had the privilege to know for so many years.
So sorry for you and yours loss. She was an amazing woman, wife mother and grandmother. Prayers to your family.
Debbie, I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was such a treasure and I adored her! My parents thought the world of your parents! Hope you find comfort in knowing your folks are together again!
Again, my condolences.
Mary T Schnellbacher-Decker
Deb:
So sorry to hear about your Mother, a parent is a difficult loss. I just lost my mother on July 10th and it’s amazing how everything brings back memories of them. But, she is at peace and that’s the best feeling of all. May God bless you and your family.
To the Vignatelli family,
Both Bev and I offer our sincere condolences for your loss. The memories we have with your Mom and Dad will remain with us forever. The Sattler family and I have benefited from being a part of their Pru family for many years. We wish you all the happiness that we received from knowing them. RCJH!
Debbie
Sending heartfelt condolences in the loss of your beautiful mother.
Our condolences to all of the Vignatelli family on the loss of a truly wonderful lady. Joanie was always so kind and caring to us and will be missed by all that knew her. May she rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.
To the Vignatelli Family especially Debbie and Richard,
It is with great sadness that I saw and read this obituary today. Janet recalled how much fun it was when she was a little girl going to visit Gene and Joanie’s home. Janet’s voice and eyes always lit up talking about those visits. Gene and Joanie were always nice to me personally. Boy, what great Jayhawk supporters they were! May Ms. Joanie rest in peace and be able to once again hold the hand of Gene while sitting with Our Lord for the rest of eternity.
Blessings to you all,
Mark Cairns
Debbie and Family,
Very sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. I know that she and your Father were wonderful people who had so many friends.
With deepest condolences,
To the Vignatelli Family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Joanie was a very special lady! She always opened up her tailgates to us & treated us like family! I will always remember her calling me Joey (she was the only person to call me that) every time/everywhere she saw me. Rest in peace Joanie – I know Gene is waiting. Love you!
To Debbie, Becky, Brad, Pam, and the whole extended Vignatelli family – Debra and I are very sorry for your loss. We hope you cherish the memories of the beautiful lady she was, and marvel at the amazing legacy she and Gene left. Thinking of you all on this day.
Dear Debbie, Becky, Pam, and Brad – I am thinking of you with deepest sympathy. Mrs. Vignatelli, as I knew her, was a very impressive lady, a wonderful mother, and a wonderful role model for her family and for all she met and knew. She left a loving legacy and she will be sorely missed!
Debbie, Becky, Brad and Pam, sending my heart felt condolences to you all. I was so blessed to have your Mother as my God Mother. She was such a beautiful loving person. I can only imagine the laughter in heaven with our parents being together again. I have the fondest memories of them laughing in my home as a child. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.