Jo Ellen Dyer, a luminary in the world of law and an ardent believer in the transformative power of communication, passed away on September 18, 2025, at her residence in Leawood, Kansas. Born on January 18, 1962, in Emporia, Kansas, Jo Ellen cultivated a legacy that intertwines professional excellence with profound personal connections.Jo embarked on her academic journey with fervor, graduating from Emporia High School in 1980. She then pursued higher education with determination, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Emporia State University in 1984. Her ambition propelled her further to attain a Juris Doctorate degree from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, in 1987, laying the foundation for a distinguished career that would span decades. In a testament to her commitment to understanding the human experience, she completed a Masters of Counseling Psychology from Pacifica University in Carpinteria, California, in 2005.
Throughout her illustrious career, Jo dedicated herself to the practice of law as a corporate attorney before refining her expertise in mediation—an endeavor she found not only professionally rewarding but personally fulfilling. For the last ten years, she thrived as a professional mediation attorney, where her unique abilities to navigate complex disputes in the context of people’s emotions brought closure and understanding to many. Her passion for resolving conflicts and fostering communication was matched only by her love for gardening, traveling, indulging in monthly poker games with the "poker girls," shopping, and going to the movies. Most dear to her heart was her cherished time spent with family and friends who influenced, shaped and enriched her vibrant life.
She also dedicated herself through her charity work to help support the Bra Couture KC and time spent being an Approved Dispute Resolution Provider with the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas. Jo was a valued member of the Kansas Bar Association.
In a joyous union celebrated on May 10, 2003, Jo Ellen was married to her devoted husband, David Dyer, who survives her. Their bond, strengthened through shared experiences and mutual interests, was a beacon of love and support in her life. Jo is also survived by her beloved mother, Patricia (Faust) Linn of Emporia, Kansas; her two sons, Drew Dyer and Davis Dyer, both of Leawood, Kansas; her sister, Diana Yeatman (David) of Norman, Oklahoma; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews who carry her spirit forward.
Jo's legacy will forever be marked by her unwavering dedication to her family, her compassionate approach to mediation, and her zest for life. She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Linn, and sister, Debra Boyce, with whom she shared an extraordinarily close bond.
As we reflect on the life of Jo, we remember a remarkable woman who taught us the importance of kindness, strength, and the ongoing pursuit of knowledge. She kept the following poem defining “success” near her all the time:
“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.” By Ralph Waldo Emerson.
All who knew Jo would agree she lived and conducted her life according to these definitions of “success”.
A private family memorial service will be held in October and a Celebration of Life will be held at the Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kansas, on November 29, 2025, beginning at 1:00 PM, where all who knew and loved her are invited to gather and honor her extraordinary journey.
The family suggests memorial contributions to hopecam.org, kcatc.org, hncliving.org, or bracouturekc.com c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.
