Joan Marie Stone (1934-2021)

STONE, SILVER, WESSELS, GRIMM

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/6/2021 at 09:24:00

JOAN MARIE STONE
Central City

Joan Marie Stone, 86, of Central City, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 4, 2021, at her daughter Julie's home, surrounded by Julie, Joan's granddaughter, Jill Silver, and Amanda of Mercy Hospice.
Joan was born on July 23, 1934, in Manchester, Iowa, to parents Leslie and Lena (Wessels) Grimm. Joan was one of six children, and she had the honor of being the only daughter. She graduated from Delhi, Iowa, in 1952. Joan was later united in marriage to John Stone on Sept. 17, 1954, in Manchester, Iowa, at the Lutheran Church.
Joan grew up with her five brothers on the farm, working right alongside them. They shared many fond memories of attending school at the one-room schoolhouse, performing Christmas plays in front of their parents, and enjoying the walks to and from school. A funny story about Joan and her brother, Bob, that maybe sheds some light on just how stubborn she was: her brother and she were riding in the car with their mother (Lena) back from town. Their farm was five miles from town, and they were only two miles into their drive. Bob and Joan would not stop arguing, so their mother said, "If you do not stop fussing, I will stop this car and you will walk the rest of the way home." Bob and Joan did not stop fussing and Lena was true to her word, she pulled the car over and they had to walk the three miles home.
Joan was a member of Zion Presbyterian Church in Coggon, Iowa, where she spent many years worshipping with her family and friends. Joan also loved gardening, and at one point had seven large gardens she tended to. She enjoyed cooking, baking, working on the farm and helping with whatever chore or project there was. If there was a task, Joan was first in line to lend a helping hand, often working circles around everyone else. After all, she was a hard-working farm girl. That work ethic was the foundation for how Joan ran her home,
making sure all six of her children were well cared
for, having delicious home-cooked meals, clean clothes and anything and everything they needed on a daily basis.
Joan provided for her family with grace and ease, something that never faltered as her children grew and had families of their own. She transitioned effortlessly into her role of grandmother, eagerly taking the chance to love and spoil her oldest grandson Brad, and she did that job very well. She soon found herself watching the other grandchildren (often multiple babies/kids at once) and spoiling each one of them as well. Joan always was helping with dinners, hosting family gatherings, having sleepovers, going to the park, teaching her grandkids how to make homemade applesauce, canning and, of course, attending as many sporting events of her grandchildren as possible. She couldn't turn down a good sports outing. Joan simply was always there for her family.
Joan also loved and cared deeply for her friends and community. She valued and enjoyed spending time with her friends, and did so often. One favorite pastime Joan enjoyed was hosting card parties. Getting the chance to host, see friends and, most likely, beat everyone at cards was her version of a good time. Another passion of Joan's was mushroom hunting. Every spring, without fail, Joan was out hunting for the morels. Outfitted in her ball cap, her white walking shoes and vanilla rubbed all over to keep the gnats away, she always had this amazing ability to spot the tiniest of mushrooms and somehow always managed to find the biggest ones as well. Joan had an impeccable eye, and she could "out mushroom" anyone. Watching broadcasted sports was something she also thoroughly enjoyed to the very end. Everyone at the Views knew not to change the sports channel; if they did, they often heard "change that back." Everyone at the Views recognized that Joan knew her sports, so when she bet a Popsicle on the Super Bowl, it was no surprise that she was right and won the bet.
Joan made friends everywhere she went, she was easy to talk to and quite the talker. It was easy to hold a conversation with her and get lost in her stories or, better yet, be told how to do something the "right" way. She was a no nonsense type of woman, with a fierce personality and a stubborn demeanor. Joan left a lasting and bright impact on everyone she met and cared for. The memories her children, grandchildren and friends have of her hard work ethic, the skills she taught everyone, the recipes she shared, and the love she gave will never be forgotten. She will be missed dearly by everyone.
A heartfelt thank you for the love and support from her youngest granddaughter, Jill, who was with Joan to the very end. Jill, a certified nursing assistant, worked at the Views and made sure to stop in during every shift and after to say "hi" and chat with Joan. They spent countless hours together, chatting, crafting and watching sports. When the two were not socializing, Jill often cared for Joan to make sure she always was comfortable and had everything she needed. When Joan was moved to her daughter's home to spend her final days, Jill, once again, stepped up to help care for her. Joan loved her "squirt," aka Jill, and forever will be grateful for the love and time she got to spend with her.
Thank you to Morgan from the Views of Marion, for being in support of Joan since January 2018, making the transition from each stage of her final years painless. A huge thank you to the staff at the Views who took fantastic care of Joan. They meant so much to her and did a fantastic job in caring for her. The family also wishes to give thanks to Mercy Hospice for the comforting care they provided to Joan and family.
Per Joan's wishes, she will be cremated at Murdoch Funeral Home in Marion. There will be no visitation or funeral service. Her final resting place will be at Mount Clark Cemetery in Central City, Iowa.
Joan is survived by her six children, Carol (Doug) Frank of Oviedo, Fla., Karen Stone of Clermont, Iowa, Kathy (Kevin) Holub of Marion, Iowa, Nancy (Roger) Craig of Clermont, Julie Silver of Marion and Steve (Roxanne) Stone of Central City; her brother, Robert (Bob) Grimm of Phelps, Wis.; 13 grandchildren, Brad (Michelle), Kyle (Jill), Kane (Jodie), Nicole (Chris), Natalie, Janelle, Connor (Laura), Joshua, Jenna (Jeremiah), Jonathan (Melissa), Jill, Valerie and Shannon (Matt); her great-grandchildren; three sisters-in law, Marge, Linda and Deleva; and many nieces and nephews.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; her four brothers, Gordon, Duane, Donald and Roger; and her beloved son-in-law, Tom Silver.
Memorials in Joan's name may be directed to Zion Presbyterian Church, 110 3rd St. N., Coggon, IA 52218.
Please share a memory of Joan at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.