Himmel, Joan Lowry Case - 1925-2011

CASE, HIMMEL, LOWRY, ROBERTS, STEIN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 10/22/2024 at 09:32:44

Joan Himmel, age 86, formerly of Radcliffe, IA, died on Monday, October 10, 2011 at Good Samaritan Society - Sioux Falls Center in Sioux Falls, SD.
Joan Case Himmel was born in Seymour, Iowa, on July 2, 1925, the only child of Neil and Ella (Stein) Lowry. In her early years her family moved from Seymour to the state of Washington where her father was in the lumber business. Later they moved to Colorado to work in the gold fields. In Granite, Colorado, her mother passed away when Joan was only 12. She then moved to Des Moines to be raised by her maternal grandparents, Almeda and W. G. Case. Joan graduated from North High School in Des Moines with honors. She attended Drake University and graduated in 1948. She earned her Masters Degree from Montana State College in Bozeman, Montana in 1964.
Joan was married to Keith Himmel on May 31, 1949, at the Central Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They had 2 children: Linda Joan and Keith Jr. Joan was a high school teacher and librarian in several schools in Iowa. She taught in Charter Oak, Steamboat Rock, Tripoli, and Sumner from where she retired in 1969. Joan and Keith moved to Texas where they were owners of a motel in La Feria. Later they moved to La Vernia, where Joan resumed teaching and library work in Stockton. After retiring a second time, Joan and Keith shared their time between Texas and Radcliffe Iowa.
Joan was an avid bridge and card player. She enjoyed board games of all kinds. She enjoyed many hand sewing projects and later became an active reader, always having a book close at hand. Joan was a 60 year member of Eastern Star and Delta Zeta Sorority.
Death came to Joan on Monday, October 10, 2011, at the Good Samaritan Society-Sioux Falls Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Those remaining to cherish her memory are her children: Linda Himmel-Roberts and partner Barb of Hartford, SD and Keith Himmel, Jr. and his wife Susan of Noblesville, IN.; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and sister-in-law Lola Himmel of Des Moines, IA.; along with other relatives and friends. Joan is preceded in death by her husband, Keith, brother-in-law Ron Himmel and her parents.
Arrangements: Boeke Funeral Homes.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Wednesday, October 12, 2011, page 5B