Rock Rapids, IA
Joan Saeger, age 87 of Rock Rapids, IA died Wednesday, August 08, 2018 at Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA.
Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Monday, August 13, 2018 at Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA with Rev. Mark Hansen officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.
Visitation will be from 9:30 AM to time of service at 11:00 AM at Peace Lutheran Church on Monday August 13th.
The family prefers memorials to be directed to: Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids.
Joan Ruth Saeger was born July 30, 1931, near Marathon, IA. She was the daughter of Carl and Ellen (Anderson) Larson. She attended grade school at Webb, IA. Through her school days, she was an active member of 4-H and proud of the work she did in that organization. She did not attend high school – instead raised her three youngest siblings, Mary, Carl, and Sandra, while her parents worked the farm. She married Richard (Dick) Fueston on July 30, 1955. Together, they had three children: Richard, Shari, and Cindy. Dick tragically died as a result of an auto accident in 1959. After Dick’s death, Joan moved to Inwood. In August of 1969, Joan married Ken Saeger of Rock Rapids, IA with whom she raised Rich, Shari, and Cindy. After Joan and Ken retired from the farm in 1992, they moved to town in their new home in Rock Rapids, IA. Joan continued to work for Doris Doty Casuals clothing store where she was employed for 25 years.
Joan was a woman of faith and an active member of Peace Lutheran Church. She participated in many church activities including quilting, Ladies’ Aid, and Bible Study. At home she enjoyed reading, gardening, and watching the birds visit the many bird feeders and birdhouses that Ken made. Joan loved spending time with her grandchildren and the many activities each were involved with in school, church, and the community. She always looked forward to enjoying visits with her many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Joan was famous for her glazed donuts, her pies, and especially her apple bars. No one ever came to visit without being offered some tasty treat from her kitchen and a can of Coke. When Joan wasn’t in her kitchen, she could often be found at Slade’s Drive-In, where she could be found dining on a deluxe cheeseburger and ice cream for dessert. Later in life, Joan moved into Premier Estates assisted living in Rock Rapids. While there, Joan continued being social as well as continuing watching the birds at the feeder outside her window with a copy of the Argus Leader in her lap.
Joan is survived by her three children, Richard (Sheila) Fueston of Inwood, IA; Shari (Greg) Vanden Heuvel of Osceola, IA; and Cindy (Allan) Hess of West Okoboji, IA; seven grandchildren, Kerry Vanden Heuvel of Phoenix, AZ; Jordan Vanden Heuvel of Spencer, IA; Sawyer Vanden Heuvel of Sioux Falls, SD, Kirby Fueston of Storm Lake, IA; Kyle Fueston (Holly) of Coralville, IA; Lucas Risseeuw of Inwood, IA and Anna McCarty of Inwood, IA; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
