Joan C. Woods, 73

Joan C. Woods, 73, released her earthly bonds to join her Heavenly Father on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010. She was surrounded by family and friends at home when she gave in to congestive heart failure and COPD. Joan was born in Osceola, Wis., Aug. 31, 1936, to Roy and Effie Olson. Her family moved to Whitefish in 1948. She and her sisters, Jane, June and Jean, The Olson Girls, thrived in Whitefish as they helped build the family home on Waverly Place from the ground up, enjoyed Whitefish Lake, skiing on Big Mountain and making treasured memories with their friends. Joan graduated from Whitefish High School in 1954, and continued to meet with her classmates each month at the Pin & Cue for lunch and stories up until just a few months ago. After Joan graduated from high school, she went to work at the Anaconda Aluminum warehouse office until 1960 when she moved to Kalispell to work at First National Bank. She was there for 15 years, becoming the first woman officer. She enjoyed working at an appraisal office for a few years before going to work for radiologist Dr. Mike Wickersham. He was a great boss and friend. In 1958, Joan joined Jim Woods in marriage. Her husband, friend, lover and partner, they shared their journey of life together for 43 years before his passing in 2001. They raised three children, teaching them the power of faith, love, compassion and compromise, and the value of family and friends. Always a social butterfly, she was an avid bowler when she was younger, as well as a member of the Lady Elks. She loved to travel " Europe, Mexico, cruises and whitewater rafting through the Grand Canyon. She was always up for an adventure. Joan was a member of Beta Sigma Phi for 51 years. After her husband s death, her children had to call ahead to see if she could pencil them in for the weekends as her social calendar was always full. Grandma Joan loved to spend time at Echo Lake watching her family grow. She usually had a flock of grandkids around her whether it was coffee time in her camper first thing in the morning, or popcorn and cards at night. She played cribbage, poker, pinochle and bridge with a number of groups, as well as her luncheons with friends and birthday groups, Friday night dinner dates with close friends, and she was always ready for a game of Farkle. Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Woods; an infant daughter; her parents, Roy and Effie Olson; as well as her terrific in-laws, Marion and Hildred Woods. She is survived by her son, Wayne Woods, and his children, Bo John and Krysta; daughter, Whitney Leibenguth, and Guy, and children, Tiffany, Robbi and Kali; and daughter, Wendy Gorman, and her children, Johnnie, Jessika and Ty Gorman, and Gunner and Grace Grisak; sisters, Jane Friske, June Kuchenski and Jim, and Jean Petersen and John; sister-in-law, Stephanie Dye; as well as an awesome clan of nieces and nephews. Mom lived life. She loved life. Although there is a time for grief she wished only to gather with friends to celebrate her new eternal life. And so, we will gather at the Village Green Golf Course Community Center from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, for an open house to share laughter and friendship. (And most certainly a tear.) We thank you all for your loving prayers and request that in lieu of cards or flowers any donations be sent on Mom s behalf to Home Options Hospice at 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901. Hospice Nurse Tawnya Cramer, we still don t know how you fit your wings in that little car! God bless you all. Friends are encourage to send condolences to the family at www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.