Joan Agnes Stephens

Joan Acker Stephens was born on February 8th 1938 in Murdock, Minnesota to Tharscilla and Frank Acker. She was the 10th child of 16 siblings. She wrote “that growing up on a farm is wonderful, especially with parents like mine.” At age 16 Joan moved to California with her sister Laura and brother in law Tom and their 4 small children. She was to help Tom and Laura get established and then move home. She had other thoughts. She finished her high school diploma and joined the Women’s Army Corp’s to study nursing. Joan served in the Army medical group from 1956 thru 1959. Upon discharge from the military she moved home to take care of her dying father. After the funeral she moved back to California and then Utah where she got a job with the IRS. This became her life long career with multiple promotions and awards. She met her future husband Kay Stephens while working with the IRS and they married and resided in Alexandria Virginia. They retired to Payson Arizona in 1991. These were some of her happiest years where she was able to board horses and grow a beautiful flower garden. Joan single handedly supported the local art scene in Payson AZ and her lucky family members were gifted with many of these beautiful art pieces. Joan passed away on December 27, 2017 after a short illness. She was a very kind and generous person who will be greatly missed. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Kay Stephens. She is survived by her six remaining siblings, nieces, nephews and many step children, step grandchildren. Joan will be buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver Colorado with full military honors. In lieu of flowers please contribute to the Alzheimer’s association or your charity of choice.