Obituary for Joan Faken

Joan Faken

December 20, 1933 — May 26, 2024

Joan Sophronia Ratliff Faken passed on to be with the Lord on May 26th, 2024, in Bloomington, Minnesota. Joan was born to loving parents Lee Thurman Ratliff and Carrie (Smith, Simmons) Ratliff in Ponca City, Oklahoma on December 20th, 1933. Joan grew up in Ponca City, and attended Ponca City schools, graduating in 1952 from Po-High. Shortly after graduating she married her sweetheart Robert Faken on July 11th, 1952.

Joan led a very successful life. In 1952, by the time she graduated and married, she was already employed with Conoco, Inc. Joan went on to work in the State Employment Office and worked as a clerk for a cable tv provider for 10 years. She was also readily involved in her community. Joan served on the Board of Directors for the local chapter of The American Red Cross. She was also the State Committee Woman for the Kay County Republicans in the early 1990’s.

Joan was an active member of First Baptist Church in Ponca City. Her faith was a large part of her life and activities. She was Vice President of Women’s Aglow in the 1980’s. Joan taught Sunday School to both Young Women and Children in her church. She was involved in multiple Bible Studies and fellowships. She also volunteered to help with Bible Camp and Vacation Bible School.

Above all Joan loved spending time with her family and grandchildren. She was survived by her daughter, Kim Cooke and husband Reed Wagner, her grandson, Cameron Grossenbacher, her granddaughter, Alexandra Vagt and husband Mac, and grandson Samuel Cooke.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents Lee and Carrie Ratliff, her loving husband Robert Faken, her brothers, Roy Simmons and wife Bennie, Lawerence Simmons and wife Edna, Ben Simmons and wife Elsie, and J.N. Ratliff and wife Lorraine, as well as her sisters, Elsie Willison and husband Jimmie, and Dorothy Kirk and husband Minor, and her daughter, Robin Grossenbacher, and husband Gary.

There will be a public visitation for Joan at Grace Memorial Chapel on Monday, June 3rd, 2024, from 5-7 pm. The family will be present to receive guests. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Ponca City, Oklahoma on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, at 11am. Joan’s wishes are being handled by Grace Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Music Ministry at First Baptist Church of Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Online line guest registry is available at www.gracememorialchapel.net