In Loving Memory

Joan Marie Watson

Joan Watson, age 88, a longtime Chewelah, WA resident, passed away surrounded by her loving children on March 9, 2024 in Spokane Valley, WA. Joan was born on September 25, 1935 to Henry and Gertrude (Wissink) Zodrow in Chewelah, WA.

Joan would begin her education attending St. Mary of the Rosary Catholic School, through her matriculation to Jenkins Highschool.  Joan would go on to graduate from Jenkins with the class of 1953, beginning a career at the hospital in her teenage years.  Joan would be courted by Lyle Watson, who had recently returned to Chewelah following his honorable discharge from the Navy.  The two would be joined in marriage, and Joan would step away from her job at the hospital as the pair welcomed five children.

As the kids got older and gained independence, Joan would return to the hospital, working as the manager of food services for several years until she and Lyle made the decision to retire together in the late 1990's.  Retirement granted Joan and Lyle the ability to travel and see many breathtaking locations across the U.S., with the pair managing to visit every state west of the Mississippi River, with numerous annual trips to visit the Oregon Coast.

Throughout her adult life, Joan spent countless hours at her treadle sewing machine, canning fruits and vegetables, leading a local cub scout troop, and reading, namely biblically-based history books.  Above all though, Joans greatest passion was for her family and her husband; she was tirelessly devoted to them all, and her quiet nature was the perfect compliment to watching her family flourish and grow over the years.

Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Lyle Watson; her son, Daniel Wayne Watson; her son-in-law, Rod Schneider; and her siblings, Harold Zodrow, Rosemary Anderson, and Sharlene Andrews.

Joan is survived by her children,  Deanne Barrans (Gordon) of Kettle Falls, WA, Janice Schneider of Kettle Falls, WA, Karen Arnott (Dan) of Rice, WA, Ron Watson (Rhonda) of Deer Park, WA; grandchildren, Craig Barrans, Kylee Ballance, Michael Schneider, Molly Corvino, Russell Schneider, Lyle Watson, Kury Vaughn, Dustin Carpenter, Matthew Arnott, Kyle Martin, Bryan Watson, Nate Watson, and Alicia Watson; 30 great grandchildren; her siblings, Claudine (J. Wesley Todd) of Spokane Valley, WA, Michael Zodrow of Spokane, WA, Richard (Jill) Zodrow of Honolulu, HI, and Fr. Nathan Zodrow of St. Benedict, OR; nieces, nephews and a host of extended family.

The funeral services for Joan Watson will begin at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at the Danekas Funeral Chapel in Chewelah, WA.  The graveside service and vault interment will follow at the Chewelah Memorial Park Cemetery.  . Memorial contributions in Joan's honor may be given to the American Diabetes Association at https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/in-honor-gift.  Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.  Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.