Joan Keene

Dorothy “Joan” (Bestwick) Keene, 87, passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. She was born on October 17, 1938, in Cleo Springs, Oklahoma, to Rosa Mae (Lee) and Floyd Bestwick.

Joan married the love of her life, Tom Owen Keene, on July 15, 1955, in Arlington, Virginia. Tom and Joan made their home in Salina, Kansas, where they lived for 49 years before moving to Sublette, Kansas, to be closer to family.

Joan worked as a waitress and found real joy in serving others. She spent many years working in Salina at the Ramada Inn’s signature restaurant, as well as Russell’s Restaurant. Through her work, she built lasting friendships with customers who became like family. She also had the opportunity to wait on several well known travelers passing through on the interstate, including Terry Bradshaw and Minnie Pearl.

When Joan was not working, she enjoyed spending time with her beloved husband, Tom. They loved camping and fishing at Lake Bennington and Lake Kanopolis, and they enjoyed dancing to country western music together.

There were three things that brought Joan the most joy in life: her dogs, her grandchildren, and Dolly Parton, not necessarily in that order.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Connie Vogts and husband Jeff of Sublette, Kansas; her sons, Tommy and wife Nancy of Vinita, Oklahoma, Randy of Kingman, Kansas, and Roger and wife Alice of Turpin, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; and her brother, Dennis Johnson and wife Marla of Olathe, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; a grandson; and a great granddaughter.

A private family service was held at Weeks Family Funeral Home and Crematory, followed by cremation.

Condolences may be left online at WeeksFamilyFuneralHome.com.