Joan Anderson

Joan Anderson, Marysvale, Utah

    Joan K. Hoover passed away January 21, 2024 in Monroe.  She was born May 14, 1936, in Richfield to Kenneth Holdaway and Ada Steele Hoover in their home over the Blue Moon Cafe that they owned. They later purchased property in Marysvale Canyon and raised their family there, lovingly called “Hoovertown” by many. The canyon was her favorite place.   

    Joan married James F. Anderson from Venice July 3, 1953, in Marysvale. They were later sealed in the Manti temple. Jim passed away December 24, 1996. They had five children, Elizabeth “BethAnn” Smith, Marysvale; James (Marilyn) Anderson, Spring Creek, Nevada; JoAnn (Gordon) Ballow, Sigurd; Patricia “Patty” (David) Jensen, Washington; and Sandra “Sandy” (Kenneth) Castles, Monroe. There are many grandkids, great grandkids, and great-greats. She loved her treasures, and these were her favorite. Once you hung around Mom for a while, you were family. Many more than we can count call her Mom, Grandma, or Aunt Joan.   

    She was an EMT and EMT instructor, a nurse, a business owner, a life-long learner, strong willed, opinionated, and funny. She got things done and had knowledge and expertise that would blow your mind. She raised a bunch of people just like her to carry the legacy on.   

    The best storyteller in town has moved on to greener pastures, back into the arms of our dad, who has been patiently waiting in Heaven for her for 27 years.   

    She is survived by her sister, Carole Washburn; and in-laws: Michael Gibbs and Beverly Hoover; also her 5 kids, 16 grandchildren, 11 bonus grandchildren, all their spouses, and too many great-grands (and beyond) to count. 

    She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents; a stillborn daughter; great-granddaughters, Hailey Jones and Olive Severenson; son-in-law, Aaron Knaphus; her siblings, Helen Gibbs, Ginger Lund, and Kenneth Hoover; and in-laws, Rex Lund, and Ivan Washburn.   

    Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:00 a.in the Marysvale Ward Chapel, 800 West Bullion Avenue in Marysvale. Visitation begins with family at 10 a.m. 

    As her last act of service, Joan donated her body to the U of U School of Medicine so she could continue with her passion of teaching new medical personnel. Monetary donations in memory of Joan K. Anderson may be made at umarket.utah.edu/ugive/index.php?gift_id=94.