- Date Of Birth: May 4, 1929
- Date Of Death: October 17, 2022
- State: Utah
Joan N. Wilhelmi
May 4, 1929 – October 17, 2022
Joan Neidlinger Wilhelmi was born on the farm in Hampden, North Dakota, to Ruth and Harry (Thomas) Neidlinger. Her parents and older brother Adrian, who she called Hon, adored her! She had a very joyous childhood with a closeknit family. Growing up on the farm was a fun adventure with all the horses, cattle, dogs and activity. She began helping her dad Harry on the farm and driving in the fields at age 8.
One of Joan’s fondest memories was her mother filling their home with her beautiful piano playing. This gave Joan a deep love for music. She began playing the piano as a child and later transitioned to the organ. Over the years, she enjoyed listening to grandchildren and great-grandchildren play various instruments.
Joan was well known for her athletic abilities. As a child, she could be found playing fox and geese in the snow or baseball with the boys. She also loved softball, skiing, and golf, but her true passion was basketball. In school she shined on the court leading the Hampden Honkers to many victories. Her highest scoring game was 41 points!
She graduated salutatorian of her class of 1947 and attended one year of business college before marrying Jake P. Wilhelmi on December 1, 1948. They lived most of their 44 years of marriage in CA.
Joan suffered many things in her 93 years, but her worst nightmare was tragically losing her oldest daughter Nancy in 1982. Oh, what a joyous reunion that must have been on Oct. 17th, 2022, after 40 years of mourning!
Joan has 3 children: Nancy Andrade (1949-1982), Jerry Wilhelmi (Alison), and Sandy George (Joe). She has 8 grandchildren: Stacey King (Rob), Tom Andrade (Stephanie), Jimmy Wilhelmi, Jason Wilhelmi (Faith), Anne Wilhelmi (Scott), Sydney George, Katie George, and Joseph George. She has 7 great-grandchildren: Paul King, Amanda Tupin (Adam), Shea King, Olivia King, Stephen Andrade, Ryane Andrade, and Jake Andrade. She also has 4 great-great-grandchildren: Benjamin Tupin, Isabelle Wilhelmi, Anabelle Wilhelmi, and Anderson Tupin.
Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren were her greatest love and joy! Any time spent with them was a treasure!
She had 10 wonderful years with the love of her life, Ron Martinson. They enjoyed spending the winters in Mesa, AZ, golfing and socializing with many close friends. She also loved road trips and seeing new things!
Joan’s last 31 years were spent in Utah loving her family, playing the organ, watching the Utah Jazz, and playing pinochle.
She was a wonderful mother who loved intensely and was always there to nurture, support, and protect. She was deeply caring, extremely sensitive to others, and very tender hearted. We will miss her quiet warmth and tender kindness. You have left a whole in our family. We love you so much and will miss you deeply!
