Joan M. Jackson

Joan Marie Jackson, 87, passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 7, 2023 in Ankeny, IA after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.

Joan, the eldest of three children, was born on October 20, 1935 on a farm north of State Center, IA to Earl and Louise Funke. Joan was an avid reader, spending many happy hours under her favorite oak tree with a book, avoiding chores in the chicken house where the dreaded rooster lay in wait. On her beloved childhood farm, she developed a deep love of books and trees, along with a lifelong fear of birds. Joan played six-on-six basketball for State Center High School and enjoyed family trips to watch the Iowa Girls Basketball Tournament at Veterans Auditorium. A serious student, Joan earned a freshman scholarship to Luther College, crediting a kind professor for getting her through organic chemistry. Joan transferred to Iowa State University, completing her BA in Home Economics. During her first week in Ames, she met Carleton Jackson at a church ice cream social. They dated throughout college, although Joan recalled that Carl would disappear around Valentine’s Day and her birthday. Joan moved to Denver, CO to teach at Smiley Junior High School and Carl showed up for a visit. She knew then that he was serious.

Joan and Carl married in a candlelit ceremony on a sweltering August day in 1959, launching a union that would last for 63 years. For over 50 years, Joan and Carl made their home in Sioux City, IA where Carl ran the family business, T & W Tire. Joan taught Home Economics at Sgt. Bluff High School, then at Morningside College and Western Iowa Tech, where she developed adult education classes on new home technology like the microwave oven. She was a nutrition counselor for the WIC program and started The Strawberry Patch quilting shop with her friend Eileen Helvig. Joan loved textiles and any vacation included a trip to the local fabric store. She was an accomplished tailor who could create a polished garment without a pattern and she created many beautiful garments for herself and family.

Joan was a prolific volunteer and hostess, serving on many committees for Morningside Lutheran Church, PEO, 4-H and Sioux City Chamber Music. She made close friends in AAUW, bridge and book clubs and as a docent for the Sioux City Art Center-where she took many painting classes. Joan and Carl bought their first house on South Oleander Street, making lifelong friends at the frequent impromptu neighborhood gatherings. They were 50 year members of the Potluck Group, along with four other couples who met monthly for dinner and laughter. Her friends became family. Joan was an enthusiastic tennis player and traveler, traveling the world with Carl on his business trips. Her favorite trips were to Australia to visit dear friends Jenny and Roger Moore and to London when Kayla was a student. Joan was Carl’s motor home co-captain, keeping him between the lines during summers in Okoboji and winter trips to the Gulf Coast or to visit family in San Luis Obispo, CA.

As part of an article on 50-year members of PEO, Joan was asked to describe herself in three words. She responded, “Attention to detail”. As a homemaker, she made sure that all of the details, seen and unseen, were completed seamlessly and elegantly. More importantly, Joan gave the warmest hugs—with her distinct back pats. She was an adept conversationalist and a gracious host, making even shy guests feel welcome.

Joan is survived by her husband of 63 years, Carleton Jackson of Ankeny; daughter, Kayla Stratton of Ankeny; granddaughter, Greer Stratton (fiance Jacob Stastny) of Ankeny; sister, Karen Reif (Gary) of San Luis Obispo, CA; as well as a niece and six nephews in IA, CA and SD. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Louise Funke; brother, Wayne Funke; and son-in-law, Jeff Stratton.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 517 SW Des Moines Street, Ankeny, IA 50023 with lunch to follow. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Inurnment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City, IA at a future date. To view a livestream of the service visit https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral.

Joan felt strongly that education was important and that children must be well fed to learn. Memorials may be directed to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry.