Joan (Jo-an) Maxine Haukaas was born to Lowell and Dorothy (Wales) Haukaas on April 20, 1933, in Colome, Tripp Co., South Dakota, the second of seven children. She grew up on a farm south of Colome where she learned to work hard and was very active.
Joan attended a rural one-room school through the 8th grade located south of the farm on the other side of a high butte. The walk wasn’t bad except during the winter. One year her Grandma Della Haukaas had to send the hired hand over to shovel snow away from their second story window so they could get out. When Joan began high school she had to move into town due to the distance from home and the weather. She enjoyed her high school years, especially athletics. As a result, Joan played softball until she was in her mid-fifties. Joan graduated from Colome High School in 1951.
Joan met Les while he was visiting family in Colome. Les was the son of William and Elizabeth (Apley) Kirsch. They were married on June 24, 1951, at Calvary Chapel, south of Colome. Joan left with Les to Alameda, CA so he could finish his service obligations. After his discharge, Joan and Les returned to the Great Plains where they lived briefly in Lynch, Neb., and then in the Colome area. This was the beginning of numerous moves to California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and South Dakota following construction and well past their retirements.
On April 8, 2012, Joan lost Les to cancer.
Joan married George E. France on February 8, 2016. They knew each other from church and had attended events at Farragut State Park with their spouses. They enjoyed life together until George had a serious injury that required him to live in an assisted living facility. Joan provided a lot of care including pushing his wheelchair. George passed away on Nov. 4, 2021. Joan’s health and memory issues worsened and she moved into Orchard Ridge. Eventually, Hospice of North Idaho aided in Joan’s care. Joan passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023, at 3:20 P.M.
Joan is survived by her son Richard and wife Sandra; daughters – Cheryl Munoz and husband John, Teresa Lindenburg –Kathryn Isbell and husband Ronald – Stepdaughter Joanne and husband Jon; grandchildren – Tammy Sue Holzer – Steven Duane Kirsch – Shaun Christopher Munoz – Summer Dawn Gross – Brandee Kaye Shively –Lindsay Suzanne Marie Hornby –Nathan Paul Isbell and granddaughter-in-law Kathleen Kirsch; eight great-grandchildren; and siblings Carol and Marlin.
Joan was preceded in death by grandson Michael Dennis Kirsch and siblings Gary, Don, Kay, and Diane.
There was a funeral service held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 10 at English Funeral Chapel in Post Falls. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Post Falls, Idaho.
To see Joan’s online Memorial a video of the funeral and to leave a message for the family please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com
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