Joanie Mencl has dedicated her life to caring for others spending 38 years as a Kindergarten teacher in the Independence School District and even serving on the Independence School Board, shaping the lives of countless children and families in her community.

Now, she needs our help.

What began as a heart attack quickly turned into a series of serious complications. After undergoing triple bypass surgery, Joanie went into cardiac arrest, leading to a long and incredibly difficult recovery. She spent 2 months in the ICU and a total of 3 months in the hospital, fighting every step of the way.

Thanks to her strength, the care of her medical team, and the unwavering support of her family, she has made it through the most critical stages. She is now in a skilled nursing facility, continuing her journey toward recovery.

But the road ahead is still long.

Joanie requires several more months of specialized care, rehabilitation, and therapy to regain her mobility and return to as close to her normal life as possible. Unfortunately, insurance is beginning to push back on covering these essential services.

Throughout this entire journey, her daughter, Lacey, her sister, Marsha, and her son in law Michael, have been by her side every single day advocating for her, supporting her, and making sure she receives the care she needs. Their dedication has been unwavering, but the financial strain is growing.

We are asking for support to help cover:

Any donation—no matter the size—will help give Joanie the best chance at regaining her independence and returning to the life she has given so much to.

If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page would mean the world to her and her family.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support during this incredibly difficult time.

This fundraiser is being organized by close friends, Megan (Presot) Artrip and Megan (Kraus) Humphrey. We have known Lacey and her family for many years and have seen firsthand the love, strength, and dedication they bring to everyone around them and their community. We wanted to step in and help during this incredibly difficult time so their family can focus fully on recovery and healing, without the added stress of financial burden.