Joyce "Lynn" Wagner-Knight

Joyce “Lynn” Wagner-Knight of Topeka, died on Friday, August 29, 2025, peacefully at her home after a long battle with cancer. She was 60. Lynn, as she was known to most, was born on October 20, 1964, in Longmont Colorado, the daughter of Herman Wagner and Joyce Joan Heil Wagner. She graduated from Skyline High School in Longmont Colorado, in 1983. Lynn received her B.A. in Psychology with Concentration in Administrative Justice from Bethany College in Lindsborg Kansas in 1987, and her M.S.W. in Social Work with Clinical Emphasis from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, in 1989. She attained her Licensed Master Degree Social Work (LMSW) in 1989 and then her Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) in 1992. Lynn was a lifelong learner and thoroughly loved the pursuit of greater knowledge especially in her field. In addition to this love of knowledge, she was a great researcher. After earning her clinical license (LSCSW) she pursued and earned specialized certifications in Family Systems, EMDR, Grief, Sex Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused and more.

Lynn refused to let her cancer diagnosis and ongoing treatment get the best of her, she continued to live as she had prior to the diagnosis. She continued to love her family travelling to birthday parties, lacrosse games, family gatherings, graduations, and holiday events. She stayed constantly on the move visiting museums, concerts, book clubs, girls get togethers, movies, as well as vacations to Europe, National Parks, Cancun, ocean and river cruises. When she could no longer travel as much or as far, she traveled by way of internet guided tours. Whether it be family, friends or clients, Lynn’s passion and talents centered around helping others. Lynn was a role model for everyone. She had a special way of making everyone she was around feel better, and as if they were the most interesting and important person in her world, if not the world.

Lynn also aggressively pursued her passion through her work as an independent private practitioner for twenty-eight (28) years providing individual, marital, couples, family, and group therapies here in the Topeka and surrounding area. Her practice, located at Shunga Creek Mental Health Services, also included being a contract provider for Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s) and Managed Care Insurance Companies. As Lynn was building up her private practice she worked full-time for several companies that contracted at the Topeka Correctional Facility providing group and individual therapy, as well as, designing and facilitating the Female Sex Offender Treatment Program and aftercare groups. Lynn also worked part-time at Catholic Community Services providing outpatient counseling and crisis intervention services and for the Mental Health Consortium.

On November 26, 1988, Joyce Lynn Wagner and John Knight were married in Longmont Colorado and then moved to Topeka, Kansas. Lynn is survived by her husband John of Topeka Kansas; two brothers, Michael Wagner and wife, Becky of Mahtowa Minnesota; Christopher Wagner and wife, Ann of Sheridan Wyoming; Brothers-in-Law, Randy Knight of Topeka Kansas and Gary Knight of Topeka Kansas; and nephew Seth Wagner and wife, Isadora of Colorado, nieces Elizabeth Primoli and husband, Ty of Minnesota, Sarah Wagner of Colorado, Alexis Bush and husband, Austin of Kansas, Anna Knight of Kentucky, Sarah Knight of Kansas and Laura Knight of Kansas. Her grand nephews and grandniece were also extremely important and special to her as well; Michael and Kristopher Sidenbender of Minnesota, Axel Wagner of Colorado, Tristan Bush and Virginia Knight of Kansas.

In accordance with Lynn’s wishes, there will not be a formal memorial service or celebration of life. Even though she lived in Kansas much of her life, she was proud of her Colorado and Volga German heritage and vowed to return someday. She is coming home now as her cremated remains will be spread in her beloved Colorado, near the South St. Vrain River. In lieu of flowers or other gifts for the family, please consider a donation to the Helping Hands Humane Society or the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment. She will be deeply missed by family as well as friends and clients.