Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Joan DeGrange passed away on June 11, 2015 at her daughter’s home, in Boise, Idaho, from a very short battle with ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by family.
Joan was born November 2, 1935 to Delbert and Marie Bruce in Nampa, Idaho.
Growing up in Nampa she enjoyed spending a lot of time with her grandparents George and Lula Bruce and Albert and Olive Fisher (Christopher).
Her family moved from Nampa to Council, Idaho, where her happiest and most joyous childhood memories were formed spending time with her cousin Carly Shaver. They were inseparable.
The family moved to Boise, Idaho. where her father bought a small grocery store. She attended Saint Teresa Academy Catholic School where she met her husband of 62 years.
Joan married Donald Michael DeGrange, September 27, 1952 in Pullman, Wash. They moved to North Bend, Ore., where they began their family. Christine was born in 1952, Deborah in 1954, Kenneth in 1957 and Daniel in 1961.
Mom followed Dad wherever the work took him, all over Oregon and along the coast.
Finally in 1963 they moved to Wasco, Ore., their home of the last 50 years.
In 1966 they purchased the Wasco Market, here she was living her childhood dream of owning her own grocery store like her father did in Boise and uncle did in Council. They operated the community market until they sold the store in 1977.
In 1981, dad and mom started Don DeGrange Grading and Excavating which they operated until selling to their son Kenneth and grandson Michael in 2004.
Mom loved to talk about the trips she and dad took to the Oregon Coast, Hawaii, Disneyland with the grandchildren and touring through Yellowstone to name a few. She was a hard working woman all of her life and enjoyed all the times she had with her family.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents, sister Georjean Marll, nephew baby John Marll, Steve Marll, Yvonne Lamb and great grandson Elijah Michael Haustveit.
Joan is survived by her daughters Christine (Rick), Deborah (Michael), sons Kenneth (Tiffany) and Daniel. Grandchildren Michael (Amber), Britt (Jennifer), David (Miranda), Michelle, Joseph, Sara, Benjamin, Samuel, James, Harley Fleming and Dillon Simmons. Great grandchildren Brannen, Emily, Allison, Jeremiah, Savannah, Mya and Tyson.
Mom we will miss you dearly.
Services will be held June 27 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wasco at 11 am.
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