Severson, Joan 1931-2016

SEVERSON, SMITH, GRIFFITH

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/18/2017 at 16:13:38

Joan S. Severson, 85, of Le Mars passed away on Sunday, February 14, 2016 at Brentwood Good Samaritan Village in Le Mars. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 18, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. Rev. Chris Meier will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:30- 7:00 on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be an hour visitation prior to the service on Thursday at the church.

Joan Smith Severson was born on February 12, 1931, to John W. and Velma (Griffith) Smith in Fortescue, Missouri. Growing up, Joan was the eldest of four sisters. She lived in several small towns in Missouri and Iowa, as her dad was a high school teacher and coach. She attended Meriden High School and was a part of the basketball team which played in the state tournament. Joan attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa and graduated with a teaching degree. She taught kindergarten in 1950 and 1951 in Meriden, Iowa.

Joan met the love of her life, Ronald Severson, on a blind date in Storm Lake in 1950. The couple married September 3, 1951 at Evangelical Free Church in Meriden. They then moved to Le Mars in the fall where Ronald bought the veterinary practice. Joan was a vital part of the business, working in the office and answering the phone. Joan was also a homemaker and mother to Susan, Greg, and Ann. Ann passed away in a 1972 in a car accident.

Joan was active in the Brentwood Good Samaritan Auxiliary for over 40 years. She volunteered at her church, St. Johns ELCA in Le Mars and especially enjoyed the quilting projects. She also taught Sunday School and was actively involved in Vacation Bible School and Catechism through the years. Joan enjoyed volunteering. The Le Mars Arts Council was a favorite. She was also a 64 year member of the Le Mars Friday Club.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ronald Severson of Le Mars, IA ; children, Susan (Tom) Hoffman of Le Mars, IA, and Greg Severson and fiancé Deb McElroy of Omaha, NE. grandchildren, Audra Hoffman of Austin, Texas, Jon Hoffman of St. Paul, MN, Rosalee Hoffman of Washington D.C. , Liz (Jim) Mooney of Charlotte, WV and Sean Severson of Omaha, NE; sisters, Kathy (Arnie) Dawson of Washta, IA and Ellen Baker of Raytown, MO as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Ann; infant grandson, Dana Ronald Hoffman; sister, Jane; and one brother-in- law, Jim Baker.

Mauer - Johnson Funeral Home
Le Mars, IA