Joanne Frances Self

Joanne Frances VanHole Self passed away peacefully, in the early morning hours of June 13,
2023 with her son, Phil, by her side.

Joanne was born on January 20, 1931, in Arrington, Kansas, according to her birth certificate (handwritten notes state she was born in Valley Falls, Kansas). She was the only child born to Josephine Carolyn Zemek VanHole and Francis Xavier VanHole. 

She spent much of her childhood in the Valley Falls and Topeka area with extended family and friends. She attended Seaman High School. She met Robert (Bob) Eugene Self (1928-1989) of Topeka, Kansas. They fell in love, got married, and she gave birth to James (Jay) C. Self on July 31, 1948, (1948-2023). Their second child, Philip (Phil) J. Self was born on January 1, 1956.

Joanne and Bob began their family in Topeka, and moved to Bethel, Kansas (Kansas City, Kansas), where they bought a home and spent the remainder of their lives raising children and visiting their grandchildren.

Joanne’s true passion in life was to become a hairdresser, which she successfully did for over 50 years. She began her career in local salons and eventually opened her own shop on Leavenworth Road, where she enjoyed her work, all her clients, and the women who worked for her. At retirement age, she sold her shop and started “doing hair” part time out of her basement. Her grandchildren have reminisced over her double hair wash stations, hair styling chair, curlers, vintage hair dryers, fancy shampoos, and fully stocked peppermint candies for her clients.

Joanne was a devoted member of Christ the King Catholic Church, in Kansas City, Kansas, where she faithfully attended Mass until she was unable to go on her own. Her family fondly remembers her collection of beautiful rosaries and was never without one in her purse.

Joanne is survived by her son, Phil (Debra) Self, and their 3 children; Alesia (Justin) Hansen, Nicholas (Blair) Self, and Christina Self. She also leaves behind her son Jay’s children, Megan Sander, and Ryan Self, Jay’s wife, Margie, her daughter Laura, and granddaughter Abby. To complete her family, she leaves behind her 8 beautiful great grandchildren; Oliver, Claire, and Layne Hansen, Lilly and Evelyn Sander, Lochlyn, Wells, and Knox Self.

We will all miss her fashion sense, clever wit, and steady presence. We know she is now enjoying breathing freely, seeing clearly and reuniting with her friends and family who have passed before her. We love you GiGi.