Joan Carol Guyot, age 81, of Hays, Kansas passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at her home. She was born on March 10, 1944, in Britton, South Dakota to Robert and Gladys (Planteen)Eastberg.
She married Wally M. Guyot on June 1, 1963, at Highlanda Lutheran Church near Langford, South Dakota. Joan and Wally were married for 62 years.
Joan attended a country school for eight years. She went to high school one year in Britton, South Dakota; and school consolidation moved her to Langford High School in Langford, South Dakota for the last three years. As a senior, she was the homecoming queen and salutatorian.
Joan earned a two-year teaching certificate from Northern State College in 1964 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Tennessee Technological Universityin 1976. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society in education.
Joan’s first teaching job was in the Aberdeen Public Schools, in Aberdeen, South Dakota where she taught second grade for three years. She substitute taught in all grades in public and private schools in Marshall, Minnesota; she also substitute taught in elementary schools in Hays USD 489. Joan taught sixth grade in Gordonsville, Tennessee; and she taught seventh grade science for USD 388 in Ellis, Kansas for 11 years.
Joan’s strong faith was instilled in her during her time at Highlanda Lutheran Church, where she will join her parents at the Highlanda Church Cemetery. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for several years.
The holiday seasons were especially important to Joan. She loved decorating for various holidays. She always wanted the Christmas tree up early so she could decorate it—possibly two or three times before she was satisfied. Baking and decorating Christmas cookies, making several kinds of candy, and making holiday pastries all came from her early years growing up. Other hobbies included decorating and gardening (flowers), something she truly enjoyed. Evenings would find her reading or doing crossword puzzles.
Survivors include her husband, Wally, of the home; her daughter, Sherry Guyot, of the home; her niece, Jane Keanaaina (Obed); her nephews, Lane (Becky) Guyot; Lee (Candace) Guyot; and Willis (Deanna) Guyot. Joan’s family, relatives, and friends were very special to her.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Gladys Eastberg.
A Celebration of Life Service will be at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays with Pastor Brenda Rodger, Officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, at the mortuary.
The family suggests memorials made payable to: Trinity Lutheran Church or The University of Kansas Health System for (The Center for Advanced Heart Care Fund) or Hays Medical Center Foundation, in care of Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22 nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Additional Services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, September 26, 2025, at Highlanda Lutheran Church, near Langford, South Dakota with Pastor Diana Hoines, Officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Friday, at the church. Inurnment will be in the Highlanda Cemetery near Langford, South Dakota. The family suggests memorials to Highlanda Lutheran Church or The University of Kansas Health System for (The Center for Advanced Heart Care Fund) in care of the Olson Funeral Chapel, 754 5th Street, Britton, South Dakota 57930.
Condolences can be emailed to [email protected] or left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com