Joan Kathryn Book

Joan was born In Iowa City, Iowa on March 5,1935 to Alice Josephine (McCarty) and Arthur Leroy Blome. The family moved to Ottumwa, Iowa where she attended school and graduated from Ottumwa High School. She was a member of the 4 O'Clocks and the Shark Swim Club. She was an avid shooter and active in ballet, tap, modern dance and roller skating.

Joan met and married the love of her life, Jim Book in 1954 while attending college at University of Kansas. Together they raised two daughters and one son.

The family first lived in Texas and moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1969. Jim and Joan retired to Cottonwood, Arizona in 2000. Joan returned to Phoenix in 2018, after the death of her husband, to be closer to family.

Joan loved her life as a home maker. She enjoyed school field trips and was involved in the kids' band and swimming activities. The family enjoyed time with extended family and friends, vacations, and camping.

Her passions were sewing, quilting, pottery, baking, gardening, volunteering at the Rossen House and Pioneer Village in Phoenix, Habitat for Humanity and Special Olympics in Cottonwood.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Jim, son, William (Nancy) and grandson Dan. She leaves behind her daughters Jill (Matthew) Jeziorski and Judith (Rob) Schultz. 7 grandchildren (Alicia, Virginia, Bretton, Kathryn, Christina (Trevor), Nick and Kory), 9 great grandchildren along with many close family members and friends.

Services will be held at Pure Heart Church on January 11th at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Special Olympics for the Verde Valley Delegation at https://www.classy.org/give/140187/#!/donation/checkout