Joan L. Brown

4/12/1927 — 1/19/2017

Service Date: 1/28/2017
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The town of Nezperce lost a lifelong community servant with the passing of Joan Brown on Jan. 19, 2017, at the age of 89. Over the years, Joan sold thousands of Prairie Day buttons, inventoried countless vegetables at the county fair, helped sell untold amounts of items at the Catholic Yard Sale, cooked countless dishes for funerals, potlucks, etc., all to aid her hometown. She was a strong advocate for the Senior Citizens Center and could be found there every Monday and Thursday and whenever a card party was in the offing.

Joan was born at home in Nezperce on April 12, 1927, to Carl Joseph and Johanna Katherine (Scherer) Bubel. After attending St. Anthony's Catholic School for eight years, and Nezperce High School, she graduated in 1945 along with 16 classmates, five of whom gathered in 2015 to celebrate their 70th reunion.

Following graduation, Joan worked at the drugstore, the post office and Thomas Grocery Store before beginning a 27-year career with the Idaho First National Bank. She retired in 1989.

Joan married Herbert "Merle" Brown on April 16, 1951. Her first child, Sandra, was born on July 22, 1952, while Merle was serving in the Korean War. A son, Kenneth, was born on Oct. 1 , 1954. Joan and Merle later divorced. Joan was a very dedicated single mother.

After retiring, Joan loved to travel. She traveled to Germany, France, Alaska, Hawaii or just to pick huckleberries. She often traveled with her sisters, Rita and Jeni, calling them "The Golden Girls."

One of Joan's favorite pastimes was playing cards: Pinochle, Hand and Foot, Bridge, as long as there were cards being shuffled, Joan was there. In addition to cards, Joan was an avid reader and a faithful member of the Nezperce Community Library book club.

Joan is survived by her daughter, Sandy (John) Young of Lewiston, and son, Ken (Donna) Brown of Spokane; four grandchildren, Lucas and Allison Young and Kayla and DeAnn Brown; one brother, Cletus Bubel of Rupert, Idaho; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Rena; sisters Mary Bubel, Rita Jacobs, Cecelia Cane and Genevieve Wilson; and brothers Fritz Bubel, Victor Bubel and Alois Bubel.

Services will be held on Jan. 28 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Nezperce. The prayer of the rosary will be 1 p.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 1:30 p.m.

Joan's tradition continues: Historic Prairie Day buttons from Joan's private collection will be available at the funeral dinner. Any donations given for the buttons will go to the Prairie Day Association.