Joan D. Alder

1/23/1936 — 6/7/2017

Service Date: 6/14/2017
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Joan D. Alder passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Prestige Care and Rehabilitation in Lewiston.

Joan was born Jan. 23, 1936, to Arthur and Winnie Van Wagoner in Glendale, Calif. The family later moved to Layton, Utah, where she graduated from Davis High School in 1954, with honors in music and drama. Throughout middle school and high school she served as the organist for seven years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She was awarded a scholarship in music to Weber State College, where she had the leading role in the school opera. Joan was crowned "Miss Layton" in 1954 and competed for "Miss Utah," where she placed seventh. In 1955, she attended Brigham Young University and studied voice.

Joan married Calvin Clyde Alder on Jan. 4, 1956, in Elko, Nev. They returned to Logan, Utah, where Calvin continued his studies at Utah State University. Joan supported Calvin through serving in the military and through college. They later moved in 1965 to Grace, Idaho, where they raised their four children.

Calvin and Joan were sealed in the Logan LDS Temple for time and all eternity on Jan. 4, 1965. Joan organized "The Reflections" musical group and cherished her time performing with her friends in the community.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Richard and Drew VanWagoner. She is survived by her husband, Calvin Alde, and their four children: Gregory (Glenda) Alder of Idaho Falls, Steven (Larene) Alder of Lewiston, David (Lynn) Alder of Grangeville, and Julie (Justin) Olsen of South Jordan, Utah; 15 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Joan was active in the LDS church and served in many capacities. She taught hundreds of students piano lessons in her home from 1969 to 2016. She made a lasting impression of her love of music and leaves a legacy carried by her students, as many now teach and perform throughout the world. In 1985, Calvin and Joan moved to Lewiston, where Joan organized and began an annual Christmas Concert. She directed more than 300 members of that choir before retiring and turning the responsibility over to Mimi Perez in 2010.

Joan loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren. She was an example to all with her compassion and expressions of gratitude for those around her. A special thank you to all those who so lovingly cared for her at Prestige Care Center for the last weeks of her life.

Viewings will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston, and prior to the funeral from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at Ninth and Preston in Lewiston. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the same location. Joan will be laid to rest at Lewis-Clark Memorial Gardens.

May all who know Joan remember her and cherish the precious time we had together, until we meet again.

Service Information

Date & Time: Wednesday, June 14, 11:00 AM
Location: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Lewiston Idaho Stake Center
836 Preston Avenue
Lewiston, Idaho 83501

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Additional Details: Viewing will be Tuesday Evening 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home and at the Stake Center at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.