10/03/2025                                                                            
                                    
                                                                            
                                            "I was born into a big family—twelve of us kids in all. I was the seventh, so I guess I was sort of a middle child. We grew up in the Midwest, where the seasons could be quite tough and harsh. I started first grade in Iowa, even though I was born in South Dakota. With eight brothers and three sisters, life was always busy, noisy, and full of activity.
Later on, I married into a family that loved the outdoors just as much as I did. Hunting, fishing—it didn’t matter the time of year, we were always outside. My husband Bruce was from Medford, Oregon. Our family traveled to Medford in 1944, and we decided to make the move there to be closer to relatives. That’s where I met Bruce. He and I were married for 57 years before he passed away, and I always appreciated how he loved doing outdoor activities with me. He even ran marathons when he was younger.
While raising our three children, I wanted to stay young enough to keep up with them. I didn’t just want to watch—they enjoyed having me join in all their activities. We spent time at the lake and went on little adventures together. I wanted the kids to learn outdoor skills like camping and building fires because those are things that really matter to me. Some of my happiest memories are of all of us together out in nature.
I still really enjoy going out with friends, and on the way home, it’s always nice to stop for an ice cream cone—just a little treat to end the day. Moving from a big house into Laurel Parc was a challenge at first, but now, after seven months, I feel grateful. It doesn’t feel like a hospital—it feels more like a place where I can stay healthy and enjoy life. I like having friends here to chat with, sharing stories about how differently we all grew up.
And of course, I still have a soft spot for hats. I’ve got a whole closet full of them. They’ve always brought me a little joy".
-Joan