Joseph B. "Joe" Coursen

Joseph B. Coursen, 62, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
He was born January 18, 1958 in Topeka, Kansas the son of Fred and Toni Link Coursen. Joe attended Burlingame High School and graduated with the Class of 1976. He briefly attended Butler County Community College before taking a position with the Santa Fe Railroad as a welder on March 17, 1977.
Joe was joined in marriage to Brenda L. Seifert on November 4, 1978 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Scranton, Kansas. Joe’s career with the railroad took them to Moore Oklahoma for three years, Emporia, Kansas for six years. Following the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe Railroads, Joe was promoted to Track Supervisor and he and Brenda settled down in Lebo in 1987. In 2006 Joe received a promotion to Road Master and he and Brenda made their home in Halstead. He continued with the railroad for ten more years before his retirement in 2016.
During their time in Lebo, Joe volunteered on the local fire department and served as Scout Leader and baseball coach for his sons Jacob and Justin. He enjoyed bow hunting, fishing and attending family sporting events for his sons and eventually his grandchildren. Joe loved riding his Harley with his wife and taking vacations to the mountains. He was known for his work ethic, family devotion and keen sense of humor. As one friend put it he was a “True Gem of a Human Being.” When Joe would hear a song or music that he liked he would not hesitate to share it by sending it to his family and friends.
He will live on in the hearts and memories of his loving wife, Brenda of their home in Halstead; his two sons, Jacob Coursen of Emporia and Justin “Roo” Coursen and his wife Meghan of Ottawa; three grandchildren. Madison, Monica and Jonah; two brothers, Bill Coursen of Burlingame and Tim Coursen of Waverly; numerous extended family, former co-workers and countless close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Wally Whittington.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., Friday, November 20, 2020 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Osage City. The rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M., Thursday evening at the church. Burial will follow services at Mt. Calvary Cemetery just north of Osage City. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and sent in care of the VanArsdale Funeral Chapel at 107 N. 6th Street, Osage City, Kansas 66523. Condolences may be made at vanarsdalfs.com.