Clark County Resident Earns Honors at District Pageant

By Emily Bontrager

Joanne Ragan, a resident of the Clark County Nursing Home for the past six months, was named 1st Runner-Up at the Missouri Health Care Association District 6 Long-Term Care Pageant. Joanne represented the Clark County Nursing Home at the pageant, held April 16 at the Knox County Community Center in Edina.

Joanne, who recently celebrated her 91st birthday, has spent a lifetime involved in her community.

Born in Illinois in 1935, she was the youngest of three children and grew up on a farm. When she was in fourth grade, her family moved to Kahoka, where she later met Bill Ragan in school. After his service in the Navy, the two reunited and married in December 1954, later raising three children in Clark County.

Joanne spent 40 years as co-owner of Ragan Gas Company and also worked as an auctioneer. An uncommon role for women at the time.

“After an auctioneer I worked for passed away, his father decided we were going to auctioneering school. I said, ‘Well, you’ve got that wrong. I’m not going.’”

After talking it over with her children, she reconsidered.

“I enjoyed it immensely,” she said.

She attended the Worldwide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa.

In addition to her business and auctioneering career, Joanne has long been dedicated to preserving local history. She has written history articles for the Hometown Journal, collects vintage clothing and hats, and owns the Ragan History Building on the west side of the Kahoka square.

“I think probably my whole life has stemmed around many things to promote our area,” she said.

Her involvement spans numerous organizations and events, including Clark County Old Settlers, Relay for Life, the Clark County Fair, and the Clark County Mule Festival. She is also a member of Kahoka Chapter #40 Order of the Eastern Star.

“There’s just all kinds of things that Bill and I were involved in,” she said.

“I’ve been in many organizations. I did Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and even served on the Girl Scouts board out of Kirksville. I was very much involved in Tuesday Club, and I’m the only living charter member.”

Joanne said she was invited to participate in the pageant by nursing home staff because of her personality and outlook on life.

“They said I made people laugh, and I had a good outlook on life,” she said.

“Tammy Ramsay and DaKota Hopp took me by car to Edina, and my daughters met us there. Shelly came from the Jefferson City area, and Kerry came from Canton.”

The event brought together participants from across the district.

“I think my favorite part was seeing the other ladies who came from so far away,” she said.

Joanne said she was honored to be named first runner-up at the event.

“I didn’t do too bad. The gal that won should have won. She told a story, and she deserved it,” she said.

“It was nice. We had finger food afterwards, and I received a nice trophy and a beautiful rose.”

In the past, she participated in a few local contests, placing first runner-up in an Old Settlers competition and being named queen of an FFA competition.

Reflecting on the pageant, Ragan said the experience was about more than recognition.

“I think it’s a nice gesture on the part of the Missouri Health Care Association,” she said.

“I think it’s a very important part that they remember some of these people, because after all, they didn’t want to be 90 years old. They’d rather be younger and still enjoying life. I think this is kind of a highlight and brings a little goodness, a little reminiscing in one’s mind, and makes them feel like maybe they are still important.”