Joseph Leo Jaster, 95 of Concordia, Kansas, passed away Wednesday February 22, 2023 at North Central Kansas Medical Center. He was born June 1, 1927 in Leavenworth, Kansas, the son of Otto C. and Lillian (Wahler) Jaster. He was the youngest of five and the last remaining member of his family, preceded by his siblings, Clarence, Gertrude, Loretta and Wilfred.
He graduated from Immaculata High School in Leavenworth and was drafted into the Army Air Corp at the end of the war. On discharge he owned and operated a tobacco store in Enid, Oklahoma. He moved to Concordia, Kansas, and began working for the Gambles store and after "love at first site" he married Alice Marie Landry September 14, 1953. He worked and then managed Gambles stores in Salina, Abilene, Ottawa, Beloit and El Dorado, Kansas. They moved to Concordia in 1968 after he had already began traveling Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Oklahoma representing the wholesale furniture company Blackwell's in Kansas City until it closed. He continued to work in many other areas of sales in Salina and Concordia until retirement.
Joe loved telling stories and bowling and continued to bowl until he was 94, and did not ever stop telling stories. He also loved trimming trees and yard work. He was especially proud of growing dahlias many of which he inherited from his father. He became an excellent table tennis player when in the service and loved playing and doing so well until his 90's.
He and Alice have five children: Angela Jaster of New Orleans, Louisiana; Diana (Dick) Bieker of Concordia, Kansas; Paul Jaster, MD of Salina, Kansas; Julie (Dino) Brichalli of Topeka, Kansas; and John (Brenda) Jaster of Auburndale, Massachusetts.
Joe is survived by his wife, Alice, 89 (now living at Park Villa Nursing Home in Clyde, Kansas, where they moved last year) and all of his children with 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Joe and Alice were married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Concordia, Kansas, and were members since 1968 when the family moved back to Concordia.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
Burial will be in St. Concordia Catholic Cemetery, Concordia, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901.
For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.