Joan Brown

Joan Susan Brown

Joan Susan (Bliss) Brown, dear and beloved wife of Neil Brown passed away on December 10th, 2009 in Menomonie, Wisconsin. She is survived by four children Justin Sivertsen, Truckee CA, Danelle (Kristopher) Oothoudt, Eden Prairie, MN, Chelsey Brown, Arcata, CA and Matthew Brown, Eau Claire, WI and her grandchildren Alex and Mason Oothoudt.
As well as her mother Joan Bliss, San Diego CA, sister Cindi Van Slyke, San Diego CA, brother Walter Bliss, Cottonwood CA, Theodore Bliss, San Diego CA.
She is proceeded in death by her father John S. Bliss Sr. of Truth or Consequences New Mexico and brothers John S Bliss Jr. of Globe, Arizona and Christopher James Bliss of Watsonville, California, as well as other extended family.

Joan grew up in San Diego, CA and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught preschool and touched the lives of all children she met. She met her husband Neil while working as an airline station agent in Ely, Nevada. Neil and Joani were married in April 14th, 1985 in Prescott Arizona. The family moved to Wisconsin in 1987 living in St. Paul MN, Prescott, WI and River Falls WI. She loved to travel with her family and their adventures included Hawaii, Vancouver island, Florida, the Caribbean. She loved to fish, garden, sew, kayak and bicycle, hike, cross country ski and twice skied the American Birkebeiner. She lived life to the fullest, touching everyone she met, stranger or friend. She was a lover of life, a patient and nurturing mother and wife. She had a great interest in food, cooking and nutrition. Her smile lit up the world and she will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her. To know her was to love her.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 at Christ Lutheran Church in Menomonie, with Pastor Geoff Scott officiating. There will be visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 pm Wednesday, at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie and at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

To express condolences online, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com