Helen Joan “Jo” Bond
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A Celebration of life for Helen Joan (Jo) Bond, 88, Lenexa, KS, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 25th, 2023, at Westminster Presbyterian church in Waterloo, IA. Inurnment will take place at the Memorial Garden, First Presbyterian Church in Lawrence, KS. Jo passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Westchester Village of Lenexa, KS.
Jo was born on December 19, 1934, in Carthage, MO. She was the daughter of Norman and Helen (Stewart) Anderson who preceded her in death. Her husband, Jack L. Bond, also preceded her in death.
Jo graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Art. She was a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher in Waterloo, IA. She taught at Irving Elementary school and transferred to teach at Kittrell Elementary school from which she retired.
Survivors include her daughter, Patricia (William) Bond-Burnham, siblings, Marti (Paul) Bargman, Duane (Fran) Anderson, and Bruce (Jan) Anderson, grandchildren, Holly (Mike) Griffin, Tiffany (LeRoy) Henderson, Joshua (Jennifer) Noteboom, nine great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren, along with multiple nieces, nephews, and cousins. She loved and cherished her family as they loved and cherished her.
The family suggests memorials in Jo’s name to Ascend Hospice in Kansas City, Wounded Warriors, and/or St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital, and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
To Patricia and all the Bond family members,
I cannot say enough about Jo. I first met her at Kittrell. She was teaching third grade two classrooms down the hall from mine. I always considered her a master teacher and the love of her students was so evident. I am sure as her students grow older, they may forget some of their schooling, teachers, and classrooms but Mrs. Bond is one of those teachers they will treasure the memories of forever.
She was not only an expert teacher, but she was also a beautiful human being, She treasured her family and I remember stories she used to tell about Jack and his boat, the family trips they had taken, and the visits from nieces and nephews. Jo was loving, caring, generous, faithful, spiritual, patient and professional. I could go on and on but those were the first words that came to mind.
We used to meet on Fridays at Village Inn for breakfast, early enough that those of us who were still teaching could get to school on time. Then when I retired, we made a move to Virginia so Jo and I corresponded with Christmas letters until very recently. I knew she had made the move to Lawrence but was not aware of her final move. I feel fortunate to have been a part of Jo’s live, even in a small way. She has been a blessing to us all and will live on in the wonderful, treasured memories of her. My deepest condolences to you and your family