Joan Ellen How

Joan Ellen How was born January 16, 1951, and entered her heavenly home on March 13, 2019. Joan was born in Monte Vista, CO to parents John and Mary Jarrett.

As a self-described “military brat”, Joan grew up in a variety of communities spread across, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. It was during these years in the birthplace of the Renaissance that Joan acquired her intellectual curiosity and her lifelong love for the arts and of learning. She spoke often of her early memories of vibrant fabrics of India and Sri Lanka, metalsmithing in Spain, statuary in Greece and Rome and of course her favorite the Sistine Chapel. These influences had a profound effect and inspiration on her thinking and art as well as provided excellent supplementation to textbooks in her future education career. They also provided personal inspiration for her art, beginning in High School where, in 1968,  she received recognition with a Scholastic Gold Key award for experimental design during her senior year at Linn High School in Linn, Kansas. After graduating from Linn High School she moved on to Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas. There she minored in fine arts to accompany her bachelor’s degree in English and Literature. Graduating in 1972, Joan began her life as a teacher. Teaching was much more than a career or profession for Joan it really was her life. During a short pause in her teaching life, Joan acquired a second BA in 1985, this time in visual arts from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Following graduation from UNC, Joan made the move to Baca County, CO where she dove into teaching again. Teaching eight (8) years in Springfield, and then in Pritchett for 16 years. During those years Joan enjoyed serving as Student Council Sponsor, Knowledge Bowl coach, and even was known to sponsor a class or several. Joan was known to her students for being able to cut straight through to the heart of any matter and to state it without dressing it up to make you feel good. This “tough love” was matched in full, however, by her genuine and unmasked love and affection. Mrs. How was quite liberal in dispensing of hugs instituting early in her career the tradition of “Friday Hugs” but - everyone knew hugs were not only for Fridays. In 1998, Joan was recognized by the Boettcher Foundation as the 1998 Boettcher Teacher of the year. Joan loved people and loved to serve. In addition to K12 teaching, Joan also taught outreach classes for Lamar Community College, superintended fine arts at the Baca County Fair for six (6) years, judged an occasional art show, and exhibited and sold her personal pieces in a few galleries. After retiring from teaching Joan continued to serve in numerous capacities in the community, she especially took great pleasure in deploying her intellect and her wit. Her intellect studying for a weekly bible study for a number of years and even speaking at a women’s retreat where her love for art, language and her Lord made for a wonderful lesson on the Creator and his love for his “Masterpieces”. Her wit during the annual turtle race at the Baca County Fair, which she MC’d for several years telling corny turtle jokes, and spreading encouragement, love and cheer among the county kids.

In 1988 she met James How and they were married July 22, 1990, in the Springfield City Park. Joan and Jim shared 28 years together, sharing their love for animals, especially birds. Joan took great pleasure in listening to Jim play music and often enjoyed singing with him at various occasions over the years. In 1997 Joan devoted her life to her savior, Jesus Christ, and applied her giving heart, intellectual mind, and unwavering faith to His service for the remainder of her life.

Joan loved and appreciated the value of all life, she saw in every student potential that far exceeded their own assessment, and could never turn down a pet who needed a new home adopting many cats, dogs, and birds who had been abandoned or just needed a new home. In his nomination to the Boettcher Foundation in 1998, student James Wittler said in part “Mrs. How is the one to ask if there is ever a question to be answered. The question might be as simple as how to spell a word… or as complex as why do boys (or girls) have to act that way? And she always seems to have a logical, if not thought-provoking, answer. Mrs. How epitomizes what is positive in education - when students and teachers share respect and love. She uses her sense of humor to help us understand life’s peaks and valleys. In class, she is demanding but understanding. Mrs. How is consistent, has uncompromising morals and is proud of her chosen career and even more proud of her students.” To quote an article published in the local newspaper following that 1998 honor “Joan could “freeze a student mid-sentence with just a quick, but piercing, glance… and melt that same student’s heart with a word of approval or a gentle touch.” the writer also summed Joan up with “No doubt about it. With Joan Jarrett-How… what you see is what you get. Joan Jarrett-How is unique..genuine.. special.”

Joan is survived by her loving husband Jim How of Springfield, Colorado. Her older brother Jack Jarrett of Kansas City, Missouri. Her younger brother Jim (Dawn) Jarrett of Powell, Wyoming. Her niece April (Jason)  Blanford, her nephew Jacob (Ashley) Jarrett, five great-nieces and nephews, adopted family John and Trina Wittler and their children Alea, Emma and Brock who lovingly called her “Oma”, as well as hundreds of former students she thought of as “her kids”.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents John and Mary Jarrett.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS: The “Joan How Memorial Fund” has been established at Frontier Bank. The funds will be donated to local Baca County schools in her memory. Joan was a dearly loved educator in Baca County for many years and would have loved for you to make a donation in her memory.