Joan Marie Eucher

Joan Marie (nee Hansen) Eucher passed February 26, 2023 at HopeWest hospice in Grand Junction after a brief and sudden illness. Joan was born March 3, 1948 in Blue Island, Illinois, the daughter of Edward Peter, Sr. and Marion Elaine (Brethauer) Hansen. She grew up in Blue Island and then graduated from Iowa State University in 1970 with a degree in Family Environment, School of Home Economics. While in college, she met Larry C. Eucher; they were married November 28, 1970 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Blue Island. They started their life together in Ohio, where she worked at Halle's Department Store before the birth of their daughter, Kelly Anne. Joan was an actively involved parent. She volunteered frequently with the St. Ambrose PTA and was the Girl Scout troop’s “cookie mom” more than once. She was known for always celebrating the holidays with homemade butter brickle candy and chocolate cookies. Business brought them to Grand Junction in 1994. She enjoyed customer service with J. C. Penney at Mesa Mall before retiring in 2013. Between colleagues and customers who became friends, Joan almost always saw someone she knew when running errands in town. She became interested in family history and participated in the Mesa County Genealogical Society. Joan also enjoyed reading, arts and crafts, listening to music, and sharing a good cup of coffee with friends.

She was predeceased by her parents; a brother Richard (in infancy); and sister-in-law Kathleen Hansen. She is survived by her husband Larry of Grand Junction, Colorado, and daughter Kelly Anne (Tim) Hjort of Scottsdale, Arizona; a brother Edward P. Hansen, Jr. of Chicago, Illinois; brothers-in-law Ralph (Jean) Eucher of West Des Moines, Iowa, and Eric (Laura) Eucher of Ames, Iowa; and sister-in-law Ella (Bruce) Rhoades of Corvallis, Oregon; numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. She will be missed by all, including her cat “UC”.

Per her request, a private celebration of life will be held with family at a later date. Please consider a memorial donation to www.hopewestco.org. Their team of medical personnel and volunteers brought much comfort to Joan and her family during her final days.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.callahan-edfast.com for the Eucher family.