Joan G. Wagner DeCock passed away peacefully on August 23, 2014 at Rosebud Health Care Center. She was born in Ontario, CA on March 25, 1941. She was the daughter of the late Eloise and late Richard (Dick) Wagner.
Joan was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church where she was baptized and confirmed. She was a member of the Concordia Lutheran Church youth group and was involved with the placement of the Cross on the hill in Forsyth, MT. She graduated from Forsyth High School, Forsyth, MT. in 1959. While she was in high school and home during her college summers she worked at the soda fountain at the Yellowstone Pharmacy. She attended Eastern Montana College in 1959 and graduated with an Elementary Education degree in 1962.
On July 15, 1962 she married Leo Richard (Dick) DeCock at Concordia Lutheran Church in Forsyth, MT. She joined her husband to finish his enlistment in the US Army at Fayetteville, NC. While in Fayetteville, NC she did substitute teaching until moving back to Forsyth, MT. in October 1962 to the family ranch where she was a homemaker. She kept busy by always having home cooked meals for lunch and dinner for the hired hands and raising her three children. She loved growing and taking care of her yard, plants, and had a huge garden every summer and canning all those vegetables that came out of her garden. She enjoyed spending mornings out on her patio drinking her coffee while sitting under the apple tree enjoying all her plants. She was involved in the Howard Homemakers Club, 4-H leader and a 25 year breast cancer survivor. They recently celebrated 50 years of marriage with a celebration given to them by their children.
After raising their three children she started teaching for the Colstrip Public Schools in 1986. She taught Language Arts, Computer Education and Montana History in the middle school grades. She loved teaching and seeing the children grow in their education. She then decided with lots of ambition to head back to college where she received her Masters Degree in Administrative and Computer Education graduating in 1991 from Eastern Montana College where she received the thesis of the year award! She retired from teaching in 2003 due to health reasons. She enjoyed retirement with helping around the family ranch and especially cooking branding meals. She and Dick enjoyed traveling in their camper every summer taking them to some beautiful places. They were always going places as she had a love of traveling with two of her favorite spots being in Banff, Canada and the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, AZ. They spent many winters down in Arizona enjoying the warmth of the sun and making new friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her mother and father, Eloise and Richard (Dick) Wagner.
Joan is survived by Dick, her husband of 52 years; son Mark and his wife Kathy DeCock of Forsyth, MT.; son Dennis and his wife Darlene DeCock of Huntley, MT.; and daughter Michele and her husband Duane Ayers of Forsyth, MT. Her grandchildren Kaybree DeCock, and Jordan DeCock of Forsyth, MT.; Brendon and his wife Adrienna DeCock of Lewistown, MT.; Brady DeCock and Brianna DeCock of Huntley, MT.; Matthew Ayers, Tyler Ayers and Courtney Ayers of Forsyth, MT. She is also survived by one great-grandchild Reagan Ruby DeCock of Lewistown, MT. Her brother Lou Wagner of Bellingham, WA., step-brother Randy Wagner and his wife Betty of Cheyenne, WY., and one step-sister Nonie Nirider of Lander, WY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lutheran Church Cross Fund or hymnals, Rosebud County Nursing Home or charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday August 29, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln
Forsyth , MT
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m.. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday August 29, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT
Reception
1:00 p.m.
Saturday August 30, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth , MT 59327
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday August 29, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
245 Westwind Ln
Forsyth , MT
Family to Receive Friends
5:00 p.m.. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday August 29, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT
Reception
1:00 p.m.
Saturday August 30, 2014
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth , MT 59327
Share
Donna and Lawrence McCulloch says
We were sorry to hear of Joan’s passing , our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
linda Wilson says
Dick and family
so sorry to hear you lost Joan, I will send a prayer for all of you and may God Bless you in the days to come.
Robert & Joan says
May your memories stay close to your heart and give you peace during this difficult time. A mother’s love lives on through her children. Thinking of you.
McCausland’s says
Thoughts to you all during this difficult time. May the memories you will always have help you find peace.
Sharon says
Dick and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time. Hold the memories close.
Peggy Redman and Earl Mortensen says
To Joan’s Family,
We are sorry to learn of Joan’s passing. You are and will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends, and peace in the many beautiful memories you have of her. May God put His comforting arms completely around now and in the days ahead.
Bob & Lila says
Many memories come to mind of our neighbor and friend with Joan’s passing. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Dick, Mark, Dennis, Michelle and families.
Sharon Pachl says
We are so sorry to learn of Joan’s passing. Please accept our sincere sympathy. Cherish the memories of happy times. John & Sharon
Sharilyn & Ronnie Harvey says
So sorry to hear of Joan’s passing. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Clenora and Gary Quinlan says
Hugs and Prayers to all of you, lots of memories, we miss her smile and wisdom. Joan was a true friend, truely missed.
Debi Rapstad says
I was very sorry to hear about Joan. Thinking about you all.
Dennis and Vickie Krause says
Dick and family, I know this is a very difficult time and words can’t express how one feels. They say time heals, but I know personally there is an empty spot in your heart for your loved one. She may be passed on but not forgotten. Hang on to all of those beautiful memories. I treasure the stories that she shared with me thru all the years. May she rest in peace. Vickie and Dennis
Deb and Bill Anderson says
Bill and I are so sorry for your lose of your wife and mother and grandmother. Joan was a very kind person and a great teacher, she will be missed by many. God said he needed another angle and now he has one.
Linda Morrison Himsl says
Dick and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and familas you mourn Joan’s passing. May she rest in peace.
Gary and Kathryn Wagner says
We have great memories of days in Forsyth especially at the skating rink where Joan was an avid skater displaying her hand knitted scarves and matching skating sox. She was in the Hammond Valley 4-H club where Gary was as well. And then the days at Concordia in Walther League, confirmation class, Bible School and of course, putting that cross up on the hill. We treasure those memories and our hearts go out to all of her family as we know she will be sorely missed. Blessings to all.
Jennifer Ferguson Johnson says
So sorry for your loss, your thought and prayer are with you and your family.
Ron and Claira Bromley says
Dick, Mark, Dennis, and Michelle,
What a beautiful tribute for such a beautiful lady!!
Ron and I have known And respected Joan for many , many years. I was in choir and Walter League, 4-H along with Kay and Gary too, We worked on class Reunions together and our families went to the World’s Fair in Spokane we raised our children together. Joan was more then just a Friend, we loved her and will miss our times at the County Fair, reunions and an just visiting on the phone. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She lived a wonderful life and left this world a better place for having been here. May she rest in peace!! May you be comforted by the Cross on the Hill!,
Connie Brown says
Dick, Mark, Dennis, Michelle and the rest of Joan’s family,
What wonderful memories you must have of Joan, treasure each and everyone of them. Each time you look at the cross on the hill I am sure you will think of her in the days to come. Thank God for the part of your lives she shared with you, and hold close to each other. Also remember your friends are only a phone call away, and part of friendship is to just listen and care!
Judy Fleming says
Dick and Family
I was so sorry to hear about Joan. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Richelle DeCock says
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Mary and Barry Flom says
May your memories sustain you and the laughter that you have shared with Joan provide a ray of sunshine to you all.
Judy & Roy Lynn says
Dick and family—Judy and I are so sorry for your loss. We will be with you Saturday, but for now our prayers are with you and the kids.. This is from Judy ,me and Todd, Troy, and Lisa.
Mary Hersrud Haase says
Dick, Mark, Dennis, Michelle and families. So sorry for your loss. She was a very special lady.
Ray and Cathy Roesler says
Dick and family. Sorry to hear of your loss. Joan was special and unique. You have so many memories to treasure. Love to all of you
Cathy
marcyes schmaus says
When I think of Joan, I remember a blond, vibrant high school cheerleader in love with a handsome ranch guy. What a good, long life together you have enjoyed. May these warm memories and the love of family and friends surround you at this sad time.
Sonja Crocker says
I know what a difficult road you are on…but take comfort in your special memories and the strength of our Lord.
Bobbie May says
Please know that you are all in my prayers. Joan had been asking me and others to get her to the 3rd floor every since she went to RCHC. I believe now she has found the 3rd floor, which is upstairs and at peace with our God. Blessings to you all!
Jim Ball says
My deepest sympathy goes out to Dick and all of the DeCock family at this time of the loss of Joan. God be with you all.
Wiley & Mary (Ottoy) Snell says
Thoughts and prayers to all of you. May the Lord wrap his loving arms around you and carry you through your grieving.
Susan Mosby says
To Joans Family:
So sorry for your loss. Joan was always so pleasant to everyone she met. I loved visiting with her in Top That. She will be missed by all.
Denise G & Steve D says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Harold Hert says
God bless all your families, prayers for all.
Shawna (niece) says
Aunt Joan, God broke the mold when He made You. I Love and miss you all the time. But I know you were out there making a difference in so many lives. That is what we ALL miss. You were there for me. I always loved being in your presence. Because you were HAPPY. Trying to absorb it by osmosis. I am sorry I was not able to attend. I think about you fondly. Always will. That never changes. Just as you are in all of our thoughts. Love You, Aunt Joan Happy Trails to you and your Loved Ones.