Joan Wilson Nelson passed away on September 19th 2023 in Spokane, WA. She was 87 years old. Born Marlene Joan Wilson to parents Violet and Major William Wilson on May 23rd 1936 in Los Angeles, California. Joan spent much of her childhood in different cities due to her father's military service and work with Shell Oil Company.

Joan graduated from high school in Casper, WY and attended Augustana College where she completed her degree in business education in 1959. She met her husband Gordon at Augustana. They married December 19, 1959 in California. That same year Joan began her teaching career in Downey, California. Joan and Gordon would welcome two children to their family, Kari and Mark in 1965 and 1966. The family relocated from Selma, California to Colville in 1979 after purchasing the Coast to Coast Hardware Store. Joan split time working at the store and teaching part time at the High School. The Kettle Falls Marina and Campground were a very special place for Joan and Gordon. They lived across the road from it for many years. It was not unusual to see them taking a picnic lunch to Old Kettle or taking the RV to the campground for the weekend with friends.

During retirement Joan was an avid quilter and scrapbooker. She credited her love of sewing to her grandparents. Her Maternal Grandmother taught her to sew and her Paternal Grandfather was a professional artist. Joan loved spending time with her family, taking trips to Disney Parks, and traveling to National Parks. In later years, Joan and Gordon spent Summer months in Colville with Kari's family, and Winter months in North Carolina with Mark's family. Her strong relationship with her grandparents influenced her to play a very active part in her 5 grandchildren's lives.

Joan was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Colville, until she relocated to Fairwood Retirement Community in Spokane in 2015 where she became a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church. Joan was a member of the Colville P.E.O. Chapter as well. While living at Fairwood, Joan enjoyed Gonzaga Basketball Watch Parties, Quilting, and being a part of the Welcome committee for new residents.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Husband Gordon Nelson, Brothers in-law: Don Thompson, Wendell Nelson, and Leslie Nelson.

Joan is survived by her children; Kari Hubbard (Bruce) of Colville, WA, and Mark Nelson (Roneih) of Anacortes, WA; grandchildren, Jordan Nelson, Hayden Nelson (Zak), Hannah Nelson, Haley Hubbard, and Matthew Hubbard (Courtney); sister, Patricia Wilson (Pamela) of Austin, TX; brother in-law, Herb Nelson of Stillwater, MN; sisters in-law, Helen Nelson of Brookings, SD; and Beth Thompson of Cary, NC, and Bernetta Nelson of Lake Preston, South Dakota; numerous nieces, nephews and a host of extended family and friends.

The memorial service for Mrs. Joan W. Nelson will begin at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Spokane, WA.  The graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2023 at the Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville, WA where she will be laid to rest beside her husband, Gordon.  Memorial contributions may be given to the Lutherhaven Camp, 3258 W. Lutherhaven Road, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.