Jo was born February 22, 1921 to John A. and Ethel Slayman. She grew up in Osawatomie and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1938. She attended post graduate classes at Ursuline Academy in Paola, Ks. Jo met her husband, Patrick Dembny, in Topeka, Ks. They were married January 4, 1947, at St. Philip Neri Church in Osawatomie. They made their home in Osawatomie and raised 4 children.

Jo had several jobs including motherhood and homemaker over many years. She was a secretary for the federal government, a bookkeeper for Slayman Beverage Company and ended her career as an administrative assistant in 1989 when she retired from Osawatomie State Hospital. After her retirement, Jo moved to Overland Park, Ks. She volunteered for the Fine Arts Department of Johnson County Community College, where she was twice named Volunteer of the Year. She spent the last 6 years living in Middleton, Idaho.

Jo loved travelling, spending time with her family, and gardening. She was a woman who always carried herself with style. She had a quick wit and dry sense of humor and will be missed by all.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick. Survivors include her children: Pamela Smith and her husband, Terry, of Heath, Texas; Elaine Keogh and her husband, Dennis, of Boise, Idaho; Christopher Dembny and his wife, Nancy, of Richardson, Texas; and Lisa Richardson and her husband, Bob, of Independence, Mo. She is also survived by a brother, John T. Slayman of Overland Park, Ks. and a sister, Evelyn Slayman, of Overland Park, Ks, eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral Service will be 10am, Monday, March 19, 2012 at the St. Philip Neri Church in Osawatomie, Ks. with burial at the Osawatomie Cemetery. Visitation 9-10am at the church, just before funeral

Gift donations in her memory should be made to the Osawatomie Elks Scholarship Fund.