Joan Strickler

Joan Marie Hartwell Strickler was born April 14, 1934, in Mason City, Iowa, to the parents of Leland Harold Harwell and Ruth Marie Treloar Hartwell. She passed away on May 28, 2026, at the Rehabilitation of Allison. Funeral services will be held at a later date in August. Woodley Funeral Home of Greene is caring for Joan and her family. Joan graduated in 1951 from Nora Springs High School. While in school she was active in band, choir, plays, and basketball. She also worked part time for Nora Springs Telephone Office. On June 21, 1952, she met Robert (Bob) Strickler and they were married 4 days later on June 25th. Bob was stationed with the Air Force in Salina, Kansas, so they made their home there the next year. During their married life they enjoyed travel to Granson, Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They were host parents to exchange students, Susu Koroma from Finland, and Lena Sandberg from Sweden while living in Nora Springs. Joan and Bob were both E.M.T.s for the Nora Springs Ambulance Service, taught CPR classes and both worked at NWSPC in Mason City, Iowa. She said that was “togetherness plus”. Joan retired from the Cement Plant as Maint. Coord. In 1993 after 26 years. They moved to Greene in 1995. Joan was a volunteer for Hospice of Northern Iowa, helped at Senior meal Site, Greene Food Bank, Friends of Library, and Nora Springs Legion Auxiliary. She was a member of Presbyterian Church where she played piano each Sunday, also on church session. Joan belonged to 2 bridge clubs and sewed quilts for church and her family. She was a fifth-generation caretaker of Spring Grove Cemetery north of Nora Springs. Left to survive are her children: Robert (Peggy) of Bristow, Connie (John) Stone of New York, and Jeff (Jan) of Waverly. Her grandchildren: Tonya, Jessie, Jonna, Justin, and Jennifer. Great-grandchildren: Sammy, Elena, Hailey, Adalyn, Kyle, Ava Jo, Brady, Tyler, Isaiah, Elizabeth, Neva, and Briella. Great greatgrandchildren: Amir, and Lyric. Brother-in-law Chuck Bonzer and sister-in-law Sue Hartwell. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, brother Jerry, sister Janet, great grandchildren, Shawn, and Taylor.

Tributes

Joan Strickler

April 14, 1934 - May 28, 2026