Memories of Mrs. Joan Elizabeth Neilsen

In memory of

Mrs. Joan Elizabeth Neilsen

La Vernia, TX, USA

September 3, 1951 - March 17, 2021

Sep 3, 1951 - Mar 17, 2021

Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Joan?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Robin Bedlington- Whitmore

I still miss Joan so much. Maybe because she was the first of the "girls" to give the ok to her brother, John, to propose to me. Maybe because she always had a laugh and was up for crazy family adventures ( thinking canoe outing!?). Maybe because she was just a good sweet considerate person. Yes, I still miss Joannie. We all do.❤️

Read More Read Less

John Whitmore

From Bryan, Tx to La Vernia, Tx and everywhere in between.

I realize what I'm writing is probably more than most care to read, but I miss my sister so much.

Joan was my big sister. But not only that one of my closest and dearest touch stones in life. As the younger 2 of 4 kids for the first 6 years of my life we shared a bed room. I remember sharing the chickenpox with her too, holding hands while we each suffered in our own beds. She took me to my first rock concert, Rod Stewart. We shared many an adventure as kids playing in our back 'yard' just a lot of dirt and drinking from our hose in the summertime in Texas. Joan faced challenges the others of us did not. She fought off polio which damaged her abdominal muscles. Then while on a camping trip from hell in the summer time in west Texas, her saddle came loose and she was dragged by her horse. At the ER they discovered she had scoliosis and ending up having rods implanted in her back. She had to spend 6 months in a body cast. I think she pioneer remote learning by having a student carry a speaker from classroom to classroom so she could keep up with her studies. Being so bright, she got a scholarship to Trinity University. While there she spent Junior year abroad where she met and fell in love with Tom. While she was overseas I was given custody of her car (chevy chevelle 3 on the tree). That car was the only thing we ever fought over when she came back. What a silly this to disagree over. After graduation she moved to Chicago. From then on our visits were less frequent. I remember the first time she brought Tom to meet our family. By that time our parents were divorced, very ugly, so it was only our mom, our sister Carol and myself at home (summer break from college). Joan and Tom visited the Texas/Mexican border then came back to San Antonio. Tom, Joan and I decided to share a bit of the tequila they brought back with them. You know how it is with tequila, you can't just have one shot. Anyway, a while later Joan was felling a bit ill (no doubt from something she ate (lol)). Our mom heard Joan getting sick and she was furious with Tom and me. She kicked us out of the house so we walked the neighborhood the rest of the night.

A few years later, my first wife, son and I visited Joan and Tom in GlenEllen. Joan somehow won a keg party at a local restaurant called Blue Suede Shoes. She saved the party until we arrived. So we got a baby sitter fo my son, Soren and Malachi and headed off to Blue Suede Shoes. Boy there was a lot of beer and we tried our best to finish it off. But, then we had to try to get home. Then we had to get the baby sitter home. All worked out, but what a challenge.

I eventually moved to the Washington DC area, but we stayed close over the years mostly by phone. When they lived in Pennsylvania we were able to get together a little more often. When I had my heart surgery, Joannie was there for me.

I never realized how sick she was in those last few weeks. I only wish I had known so perhaps I could have flown down to Texas to help out. Anyway, I miss her so much. She was a wonderful person. I will carry her close to my heart the rest of my days.

Read More Read Less

Karen Fowdy

I met Joan when she came to Monroe High School to do her student teaching in German and French. We became colleagues and close friends. We shared concerns, hopes, memories, and most of all, LAUGHS. The last time we were together was on a hot summer day here in Wisconsin. Our granddaughters played together while we talked and laughed and talked some more. Our hearts are with Tom and the family. I miss her.

Read More Read Less

Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Joan's family or funeral.

Browse sympathy flowers

Alicia Briney

Joan was my neighbor for the past two years in LaVernia. We yelled often across the fence after COVID. Before that, I would often be invited over to their front porch for a tall Coors beer. Our conversations were wonderful and full of intellectual curiosity about the lives the three of us had lived. She always asked about my sons and was a dear person to them. She informed me by FB message when there was a raging wildfire in our neighborhood. She volunteered to go into my home to get my dogs out in case the fire came close. The black smoke overcame her as she attempted to get in through my garage with the code. Thankfully, the fire was stopped before it reached either of our homes. Both Tom and Joan were dear neighbors to me before I moved a couple of months ago. I will miss her. My condolences, Tom.

Read More Read Less

Julie Lake

Joan was my neighbor and best friend in Glen Ellyn in the early ‘80’s. Our oldest boys, Jon and Soren, were born 10 days apart so we experienced the joys and trials of first time mothers together. We have stayed in touch all these years and like everyone, we were heartbroken to hear the news of Joan’s unexpected passing. She will be missed by the many people whose lives Joan touched!!❤️

Read More Read Less

Please consider a donation to any cause of your choice.

$175.00

Raised by 3 people

Learn more & give

Debra Schwiesow

Joan was with us in Council Bluffs for a short while but left a lasting imprint on our hearts.

Read More Read Less

Janet Cusak

Joan had such a presence that you would break out in a smile whenever you would meet up with her; be it in church or Bible study or helping Joan celebrate her Birthday.
To hear the stories about El Salvadore , the poverty the people had to live with, how Joan helped to build a garden, a church and taught the children about God.
We will miss you Joan.

Read More Read Less

Janet Cusak

I know Joan first from St. Paul's UCC where Tom took a part-time position as Pastor then later when we followed them to Linfield UCC church. Joan was a very caring person with a great sense of humor. She always had a smile and a kind word. She was smart, caring, and welcoming to all. You made an impact on so many! RIP Joan.

Read More Read Less