Joan A. Deist, 81
Joan A. Deist, age 81, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2006, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. She was born Jan. 29, 1925, in Great Falls to Ory J. and Eva (Kittelsrud) Armstrong.
The family moved to the Flathead Valley when she was 2. Joan attended Flathead County High School, graduating with the class of 1942. She then attended Denver's Woman's College, the University of Washington and the University of Montana.
It was during these years that Joan pursued her love of flying and received her private pilot's license. Through flying, she met Russell H. Deist, and the two were married on Nov. 2, 1946, in Kalispell.
Together Russ and Joan owned and operated Libby Sky Ranch flying service in Libby until moving to the Flathead Valley in 1954 to begin their ranching years west of Kalispell.
Joan's years of service, outside of raising a family, included secretarial work at Armstrong General Agency, where she worked with her father and brother, Howard; dispatcher at the Kalispell Police Department as well as with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office; nurses' aide at Immanuel Lutheran Home; and owner and proprietor of the Circle R. Big River Camps based at Schaffer Meadows near the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Joan's final public years were spent fulfilling her late husband's county commissioner term from June 1979 through 1983.
Joan was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, serving in numerous capacities. She will long be remembered for her gentle and caring spirit. A special thanks to all of those care givers who made Joan's life a little easier during the last number of years.
'A kind and gentle lady with a generous, loving heart. Although we grieve your leaving we know why you must part. God knew that you'd grown weary, He knew your pain and trials. God knew your strength and faith, you always wore a smile. God knew that you had served Him and did your very best. Today you leave your earthly bounds in His arms to rest. You leave your tiny footprints in our memories every day. Now we must release you to a glorious better way. God took you home to Jesus to receive you in His fold, with His promise of eternal life, you'll walk in fields of gold.' By Wanda Poore.
Preceding Joan in death were her parents; husband, Russell; brother, Howard; and other family members.
She is survived by her four children, Roger Deist of New Mexico, Susan Mueller and Nancy Nelson and husband, Duane, all of Kalispell, Jean Becker and husband, Steve, of Libby; five grandchildren, Travis Deist, Nate and Megan Nelson, Katie and Sarah Becker; and extended family members.
A celebration of life for Joan A. Deist will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, June 26, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating. A private burial was held on Saturday, June 24, at Glacier Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorials be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Joan's family.