Joan Deane Williams, 87

Joan Deane Williams, 87, passed away on Friday, Nov. 23 at the Extended Care Facility in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at the Grandview Cemetery in Bonners Ferry with Dave Gause officiating.

Joan was born Dec. 23, 1924, to Irene and George Hieber in Helena, Mont. For four years her family lived in Marysville, Mont., then moved to Spokane, Wash.

After graduating from North Central High School, Joan entered nurses’ training at Sacred Heart Hospital. In 1946 she became a registered nurse then a bride when she married Donald Williams.

Every three years the couple produced another daughter until the tally reached three: Shara, Barbara and Marilyn. For 38 years Joan continued to work part-time in coronary intensive care at the Veterans Administration Hospital until she retired in 1984. Joan and Don moved into the Restorium in Bonners Ferry in 2008.

Devoted to God and her family she was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church, Sorosis, a women’s service organization; and various book clubs. Joan volunteered at Our Place, a neighborhood drop-in center in downtown Spokane and Riverview Terrace’s gift shop.

She enjoyed tending her flowers and hummingbirds, knitting, camping, swimming, picking huckleberries, skating, skiing and soaking in as many hot springs as possible — preferably with her husband and grandchildren.

Her wisdom and positive countenance will be missed. Her faith and graceful acceptance of change will continue to inspire.

Now joining her husband, who preceded her in death along with her daughter, Marilyn Rinehart, parents and sister Lois.

Joan is survived by two daughters, Shara White and Barbara Lindgren of Bonners Ferry; eight grandchildren: Taran and Tyga White; Aaron, Adrian and Reuben McCrum; Randy and Jen Rinehart, Sherri Alderman; four great-grandchildren and “true blue” friend David Siebanthaler.

Memorials in her name can be sent to Bonner Community Hospice, 520 North Third, Sandpoint, ID. 83864. Visit Joan’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.