Joan Katherine (Gildersleeve) Staab

Joan Staab, formerly of Baker, died surrounded by family, Sunday, December 17, 2023 at her home in La Grande at the age of 89.

A service will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. at the La Grande Church of the Nazarene.  Private interment was held at the Grandview Cemetery.

Joan Katherine was born on March 21, 1934 in Lewiston, Idaho, the daughter of Walter Allen and Edith Marie (Raatz) Gildersleeve.  She was raised in Baker, graduating from Baker High School with the class of 1952.  She later attended Oregon State University. On August 24, 1954 she was married to Richard "Dick" Staab. The couple were married in Baker where they made their home until moving to La Grande. 

Joan worked as a secretary for Oregon State Police in Baker.  After moving to La Grande she worked as a secretary/bookkeeper for the Standard Oil Distributorship she and her husband owned.  She also worked as the secretary for the Zion Lutheran Church and was an administrative assistant for the La Grande School District for several years.  After she retired from the school district they would call her back to help with special projects.

Joan was a very devoted member of Zion Lutheran Church.  She also belonged to PEO, La Grande Country Club, American Legion Auxiliary (where she worked on the newsletter), a bowling league and bridge club.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and knitting.

Survivors include her husband of 69 years, Dick of La Grande, children, Larry and his wife Susan of Keizer, Bob and wife Jessica of Danville, California and Sandra of La Grande, grandchildren, Sara and husband Greg Carter, Robyn and husband B.K. Gray, Tyson, Tanner, Tia, Tatum Staab and Sergio Staab, great-granddaughter Atlantic "Addy".

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her brothers George and Charles Gildersleeve.

Contributions in memory of Joan (Gildersleeve) Staab may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church memorial fund, or the La Grande American Legion Auxiliary.

Condolences may be left online on Joan's tribute wall at www.danielsknopp.com