Joan Domke

Joan Marie Domke, age 89, of New Bloomfield, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, at her home. She was born December 18, 1922, in Kankakee, Ill. to Rose and Francis J. Sullivan. Her father was a psychiatrist and she grew up on the grounds of Kankakee State Hospital. After graduating from high school, she attended Purdue University, obtaining a bachelor's degree in microbiology. She moved to Chicago to work at the city's health department, and met her husband-to-be, Herbert R. Domke. He was the love of her life. They married June 14, 1944 in Chicago. He preceded her in death July 21, 1991. Joan and Herb loved to dance the polka, and they also loved travel and music. Both also loved the beauty and serenity of nature, and were avid gardeners and bird-watchers. When they moved to New Bloomfield in 1970, their interest in gardening expanded into an appreciation of the natural landscape. They began to focus on enhancing what was there and adding more native plants. They founded the Prairie Garden Trust (PGT), a nature garden whose mission is to share the beauty of nature seen in its woods, prairies, ponds and streams. The development of the PGT was a family activity, and Joan's son Henry and his wife Lorna have become the new leaders in the transition from a beautiful private nature garden to a public one that can be enjoyed by many. Joan and Herb raised four children and they survive: Catherine Teague of Novato, Calif.; Jane Domke of Columbia, Mo.; Henry Domke and wife Lorna of New Bloomfield, Mo.; and Beth Worthington of St. Louis, Mo. She has one grandchild, Rebecca Jenkins of Woodacre, Calif., and two great-grandchildren, Anna Traub and Indigo Jenkins. A visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m., Saturday, January 14, 2012, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home, Jefferson City, Missouri. A private graveside service will be held at the family's cemetery in New Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Prairie Garden Trust (www.prairiegardentrust.org). Special thanks are also noted to Kathy Marquart who lovingly helped to care for Joan and to the SSM Hospice. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at www.dulletrimble.com