December 9, 1941-July 23, 2026
Born December 9th, 1941 to Marjorie Geraldine Kline and Joseph John Kieltyka, Sr. in Yonkers, New York.
Joe was full of life and love and known for his giant bear hugs. He peacefully and quietly went to heaven on July 23rd, 2026. He meets his parents, his sister Carol Irwin, his granddaughter Stella Powell, and loving ex-wife Jennifer Johnson Kieltyka who preceded him.
Joe leaves his legacy behind with his four daughters, Stephanie Mohr, Jennifer Kieltyka, Lara Kline, and Amy Kieltyka Ferguson. His sons in law Jason Mohr and Chris Powell, grandchildren Hailey, Joseph and Michael Mohr, Katrina Powell, and Jack and Sawyer Ferguson. His Kieltyka cousins who called him Buzz, his KU rugby family and countless friends, all of whom will miss cooking together, making pizzas, fresh bread, pierogies, kielbasa and sitting down to a full dinner table.
After growing up in Yonkers, New York, and Argentina for a couple of high school years, where he made life long friends, Joe found his way to the University of Kansas to play football. He received a football scholarship, but after an early career ending injury, he was among the first to start the Kansas University Rugby Football Club (KURFC). Joe played rugby for many years, then coached from the sideline for decades. His players would describe Joe as “Hating him on the field and loving him off the field.” Joe was a fierce competitor, he was tough and didn’t understand any effort less than 100% and would let them know. Then off the field, he would instruct, correct, make them a better player, and send them back out there. Later at the post game gathering at the bar, his players would get a big bear hug and a good effort encouragement pat on the back, his players loved this. Joe wanted you to be your best, leave it all out on the field and improve every time you stepped back on. He lived life this way. Always competitive, intense while being thoughtful, reflective, loving and generous.
Joe traveled around the world with the rugby club and made friends everywhere. “No sleeping on tour” is how he traveled. It wasn’t easy to keep up with him, there were good times to be had, places to go and people to see. Several players he met while on the European tour came to Kansas to live at his place, work in his restaurant and play rugby.
Joe was a Founding Member of the KURFC in 1964 and was active with the club more than 55 years as a player, coach, mentor, frequent international tourist and social sponsor at his then restaurant the Stonewall Inn. In 1985 Joe was celebrated by receiving the 2nd given lifetime member of the KURFC.
Joe, “The thing that all successful teams have had in common over the years was that the players cared about each other.” “Joe never looked at a team's win-loss record as the gauge of a great team or game. Some of the very best games over the years were games where the Jayhawks lost, but played their hearts out.” (source: KURFC quarterly newsletter, Fall 2019)
Joe studied Spanish and Fine Arts at the University of Kansas. He enjoyed making jewelry and drawing. He made his and Jennifer's wedding rings. He tells stories of working at a Swiss Watch company in the jewelry district in New York City before he moved to Kansas to play football.
While at KU he met Jennifer Johnson in her senior year of nursing school, they married in 1967. They opened The Carriage Lamp restaurant together in 1968. Jennifer was nursing and Joe ran the restaurant, and their four daughters came along starting in 1969. The Carriage Lamp restaurant became quite popular and his parents moved from New York to Lawrence to help.
Later, Joe Jr. and Joe Sr. purchased property in Lenexa, Kansas and turned an old farm house into a restaurant called The Kieltyka’s Stonewall Inn which opened in 1978. Serving delicious food and welcoming all in as extended family, it was the place where everyone knew your name. Joe along with his Dad and his four daughters ran the restaurant for over thirty years. Every person who worked there became part of the family. It was home away from home for many. “Work hard and play hard” was Joe’s motto. His customers were loyal, purveying weekly and many daily. Joe went back to New York City to learn how to make authentic New York style pizza. He then opened a pizza place on the Stonewall property and another one in south Johnson County called Pippinos. Later he taught the Johnny’s restaurant crew how to make his secret pizza recipe, how to set it up and serve it at their restaurants. This was a wonderful opportunity for Joe to ‘stay in the business’ while contributing to his best friend's success.
Joe and The Stonewall Inn hosted an annual Pop’s golf tournament to raise money for the Special Olympics. He would then host a party each year around Christmas time for the Special Olympic athletes to receive gifts and sit on Santa’s lap. A highlight for Joe each year was to spend time with these kids and support their dedication and efforts, hoping to give them an experience they might not otherwise have.
Joe loved going to his grandchildren's games, events, shows and performances. He would tear up often at his beautiful grandchildren and how amazing they are, he was so proud. He was a very busy restaurateur for his own children, but a dedicated Poppy to his grandchildren. He didn’t want to miss anything.
Joe loved going to every rugby game, taking his girls along for the ride, boating at the lake, traveling, cooking, running The Freedom Run in Lenexa on the 4th of July in the early days, and above all being with his family. He traveled as much as possible to see his New York family, weddings and funerals, and it was important to him that his kids and grandkids go when possible. He brought people together with good food, amazing wine, lots of laughs and of course his giant hugs that made each person feel special.
He helped raise four beautiful women along with his ex-wife Jennifer. He and Jennifer had a life long connection despite living apart. When people would say, “Joe, you’ve raised some strong women,” his response was, “That was the plan all along.”
Joe will be missed by many. He shared his smile, hugs and hospitality with all he met, while making each person feel special and included. We know he is joining all those who have gone before him, greeting them with a giant hug and asking, what would you like on your pizza?
Please join the Kieltyka family on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 for services:
Memorial Service 2:00 pm at Village Presbyterian Church
6641 Mission Rd., Prairie Village, KS 66208
A scattering of the ashes (all are welcome) 4:00 pm
Lawrence Westwick Rugby Complex
E 1094 Rd., Lawrence, KS 66047
Celebration at 5:00 pm at Johnny's Tavern
401 N Second St., Lawrence, KS 66044
Contributions can be to Kansas Jayhawks Rugby
Online at www.jayhawkrugby.com/donate
(Services by PayPal, enter desired amount. Venmo option as well @KJRFC_treasurer)
OR
by mail
The Kansas Rugby Foundation, Inc.
PO BOX 1182
Lawrence, KS 66044
(Please note Joe Kieltyka in the memo line)
