Obituary of Joan M. Thon

A memorial service for Joan Thon, age 85, of Arnolds Park, will be held Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 2:00pm at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Joan Marlyn Thon was born on November 4, 1931, at home in Armstrong, Iowa, the daughter of William and Ada (Culbertson) Yackle. After the passing of her parents, she lived with her sister, Irene, and graduated from Armstrong High School in 1949. She joined the United States Air Force in February 1950 and married Nathan Kingsley Thon, Jr. on February 21, 1952 at Parks Air Force base in Pleasanton, CA. Nate and Joan were married for 57 years. They started their married life in Port Townsend, WA, and moved to Coon Rapids, Iowa, shortly after. In 1955 they moved to Arnolds Park, IA, where Joan lived until moving to a care facility in 2009. Joan worked at Berkley & Company from 1958 - 1979 and the Dickenson County Care facility until her retirement. She was a lifetime member of the Spirit Lake VFW Auxiliary. Joan truly loved life. She made friends wherever she went. She'd always greet you with a smile and engage you in conversation. Joan was an avid reader until it became too difficult for her to see the written page. Family was the most important thing to her, she loved cooking with her grandchildren. A little mischievous, she enjoyed the occasional trip to a casino for a game of chance. She could talk you into bringing her some contraband thinking you wouldn't be the wiser, but we knew. The last few years, she wasn't able to get around on her own, but she managed to make hundreds of blankets for her son's mission trips, family and friends. A trooper to the end, we will all miss her! Joan passed away on Tuesday, February, 28, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Care facility in George, IA. She was 85. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Nate on March 14, 2009; three sisters: LeNora Hedge, Audrey Nutt and Betty Berggren; and three brothers: Glenn Yackle, Boyd Yackle and Larry Yackle. Grateful to have shared her life are her children: Cindy (Brian) Kistner of Milwaukee, WI ; Beth Swartzbaugh of Tea, SD; Scott Thon of Tea, SD and Heidi (Bill) Pearson of Fostoria, IA, six grandchildren: Heather, Natalie , Amy, Will, Hope and Faith; three great-grandchildren: Connor, Peyton and Ellie; and one sister, Irene Fink ; as well as other extended family members and friends. Joan's family wishes to take this opportunity to express their gratitude for your kindness evidenced in thought and deed and for your attendance at her funeral service.