Joan was born January 30, 1931 in McCook, Neb. On September 17, 2023, at the age of 92, she passed away peacefully at home in Denver, Colo., with her daughter and granddaughter with her.

Joan's family of four moved to Denver when she was a teen, and she quickly put down lifetime roots. She graduated from South High School as salutatorian, ranked 14th in a class of 660 students, and groused that her nemesis costing her a cumulative 4.0 GPA was a required gym class. She excelled in debate team competitions and was selected as South's "only one girl per school" entrant for the Shafroth Prize for Extemporaneous Speaking, where she claimed second place. This paired well with her participation in Rainbow Girls, where she was elected to the line of officers; the organization focused on preparing girls for "meaningful and purposeful adulthood," leadership, service to others, public speaking, faith, hope, and charity—a perfect outlet for Joan's drive and values. She managed all this while her father fought cancer, losing his battle the year after she graduated.

Although she had earned a scholarship to attend college, she instead chose to marry George "Bud" Rupert, in 1949, and they had three children in five years. She relished family life, raising—and nurturing—two sons and a daughter, by volunteering for the PTA, running a Boy Scout troop, sewing her daughter's wardrobe (and, more rarely, her own), and maintaining a household she wanted "just so."

With three young kids still at home, Joan also managed to work part-time at May D&F before transitioning to work full-time in the office of a nursing home. In 1965, she went to work for The Gates Rubber Company, as an accounts receivable clerk. She soon shifted to secretarial positions and attended night school to learn shorthand. She advanced to work in compensation, where she did salary surveys, job classification evaluations, and salary range recommendations for the company.

Joan pushed to complete her Certified Compensation Professional accreditation in 1982. She was promoted to compensation manager, a prestigious senior-management position, at a time when only four other women had achieved that status. Her six-year tenure as compensation manager was followed by another six years as the manager of insured benefits, a role she particularly enjoyed. As her career grew, she also juggled serving on the board for the Mile High Council of Girl Scouts and the board of Mile High United Way.

In 1990, she married Ray Buresh after taking a chance and inviting him to the symphony as a first date. It was a perfect match. Ray's family welcomed Joan with open arms and hearts; daughter-in-law Mir told Joan that they were thrilled with the match. Joan, too, was elated to expand and join the families. By 1993, Joan followed Ray into retirement after 28 years with Gates.

Retirement allowed her to refocus her attention on traveling with Ray. They often went to visit family in Pittsburgh, in addition to cruising all over Europe, and from Asia and the South Pacific to the Panama Canal and Antarctica, making lasting friends along the way. When they were home, Joan focused on her family and grandchildren—making Halloween costumes, providing frequent nurse and taxi services, heading a Girl Scout troop, and serving as interior decorator for several dollhouses Ray built.

In their 24 years together, Ray and Joan formed neighborhood friendships, and Joan loved the summertime gatherings that continued. They also became connected to their church, with Joan serving on many church committees and spending countless days planning, shopping, baking, and hostessing for memorial receptions. She was always happy to take on everything from orchestrating redecorating to organizing deep-cleaning days. From each of those activities, she made many lasting, meaningful friendships that meant the world to her.

Joan never stopped wanting to make a difference in the lives of her family first, and also for friends and others she hoped to help. She was fueled by kindness, and she showed her love and affection by doing for others—by showing up. Her presence made a difference far beyond what she ever believed. She will be deeply missed, but forever loved and remembered.

Joan is survived by daughter Roxane Homan, Denver; stepson James Buresh, New York City; grandchildren Brady Homan, Ft. Collins; Julie Saldivar, Highlands Ranch; Whitney Homan, Aurora; Beth (Steve) Panicucci, Pittsburgh; Timothy (Ashley) Buresh, Cranberry Township, Penn.; Brittany Rupert, Glastonbury, Conn.; and Michael E. (Ciara) Rupert, Thornton; and great-grandchildren Gage, Kyah, Cory, Finn, and Vivian.

Joan was predeceased by beloved husband Raymond Buresh; sons George C. "Curt" Rupert and Michael C. Rupert; stepsons Robert Buresh and Kent Buresh; sister Wilma Shook; and half-siblings Joseph Shook, Neil Shook, Louis Shook, Elizabeth Shook, Frances (Shook) Miller, and Marjorie (Shook) Brown.

A memorial service is on Saturday, October 21, 1:00 p.m., at University Park United Methodist Church, 2180 S. University Blvd., Denver. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested for Food Bank of the Rockies (P.O. Box 5367, Denver, CO  80217-5367), World Central Kitchen (online, see wck.org), University Park United Methodist Church , or the charity of your choice.