Joan Marie Ropke October 6, 1925 – April 3, 2020
Joan Marie Ropke was born on October 6, 1925 to Harry August Ropke and Mildred Rapier Ropke. Joan and her two older siblings grew up in the Audubon Park neighborhood in Louisville. She graduated from Presentation Academy and attended the University of Louisville as a Fine Arts major for three years before transferring to Ohio University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Joan was the Channel 15 staff artist from 1960-63. She worked for the Louisville Board of Education and retired from the Jefferson County Public Schools. Joan was a longtime resident of the Cherokee Triangle area in Louisville.
Joan was a talented and dedicated artist who worked in a variety of media, including oil and watercolor painting,
charcoal drawing, portraiture, printmaking, and collage. She frequently entered the Kentucky State Fair Art Competition, where she took home a number of prize ribbons. She also exhibited her work at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science; the Parthenon in Nashville; the Kentucky Watercolor Society; the J. B. Speed Art Museum; the Woman’s Club of Louisville; and Bellarmine and Spalding Universities. Joan loved to sketch and paint the scenery around the Ohio River, her family members, and numerous bouquets of sunflowers. Her family members each cherish the works of art she shared with us.
Joan is fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews as a fun, engaged, and loving aunt. In addition to her artistic talent, she was known for her strong Catholic faith, her prodigious memory, and the many cards, letters, and newspaper clippings she faithfully sent to her family and friends. Joan is survived by four nephews, Rick (Gail), George, Andy, and Peter (Diana); three nieces, Lynda, Lisa (Gordon), and Margaret (Randy); 8 great-nieces and nephews; and 12 great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Harry, and her sister Eleanor.
A memorial will be scheduled at a later date.