Joan Lorraing Welding Greene 1929-2009

GREENE, WELDING, KEMPKER, BERGESON, CARLSON, ELLEFSON, HUNT, PERRY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/27/2011 at 23:46:16

Joan Lorraine (Welding) Greene the daughter of Joe and Irene (Kempker) Welding was born the first child in the family of six on March 5, 1929. After graduating High School she moved on to the University of Iowa where she graduated Phi Betta Kappa in political science. She married James Greene and gave birth to seven children. One of her top priorities as a mother was to teach her children to be free thinkers although she may have silently regretted it when her children became teenagers. Republicans were not allowed to think freely which manifested itself by her involvement in the Democratic party. What Joan may not have noticed were the life lessons that she taught her children facing the hardships and trials of everyday life. Self pity and defeat were not a part of Joan's identity and this message was conveyed to her children through wisdom, love, and a not so pleasant to witness temper.

On April 26, 2009 Joan slipped out of sight. To say that she is gone would not be an accurate account of her passing. How can anyone say that she is gone after witnessing the display of strength and courage that Joan had. We can't see her but her spirit lives on through her brothers, sisters, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an inspiration to all who knew her story and will remembered by all whose lives she touched.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville.

Joan is survived by her children and grandchildren, Tim (Joe, Keri and Hannah) Rebecca Bergeson (Bradley, Sarah and Emily) Anthony; David and his wife, Kim, (Anna Marie, Johnathan, Caroline and Jay) Anne Carlson and her husband, Dennis and Mary Ellefson and Jim Hunt (Jordon and Nathan) nine great grandchildren; brothers, Jim Welding; George (Fritz) Welding and wife, Alma; sister, Mary Lou Perry and husband, Clarence.

She has been preceded in death by her husband, James; infant son, Joe; parents, one brother, Tom and one sister, Anna Marie

INTERMENT
St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery
Estherville
(MC)