Joan Elizabeth Gustman

April 12, 1931 – November 20, 2010

Richland, Washington

Joan was born on a 360 acre farm near Plainview, Nebraska to George and Kathryn Kuhl along with two sisters surviving – Eline Brosch, Norfolk, NE and one brother. She spent her grade school days in a one room school and finished high school at age 16. Joan continued her education at Wayne State Teacher’s College and began her career in 1949 in another one room schoolhouse. She began dating Dale Gustman during her first year of teaching;they married two years later on June 17, 1951. Joan and Dale had two daughters which they moved to Spokane, Washington after a 3 year drought forced them to leave farming in Nebraska. Dale and Joan managed a large Dairy along the “Little Spokane River”, Spokane, WA. The Dairy eventually closed down and Dale began his career with Safeway taking Joan and the girls into the City of Spokane.

In 1978 Dale and Joan moved to Richland, WA; their oldest daughter Christine David Smith had blessed them with their first grandson Tim Tammy and it was their wish to be active and participative grandparents. Their second daughter, Nanci William Peters followed a few years later from Spokane, WA. The family grew to include four more grandchildren, Elizabeth Russ Rodriguez, Kristin Smith, Kacy Peters, Katrina Darren McWhorter plus two additional gifts Brandon and Jessie. True to a great life Joan was blessed with five great grandchildren to love Elijah, Trista, Vincent, Hunter and Tate. Her husband Dale passed away December 2005; at which time Joan moved to the Vintage Apartments where she formed great friendships and partners in crimeArlene and Fran.

Joan was a natural artist as was evident with the beautiful home she made for her family and the seasonal gardens she maintained. The love and skill of growing flowers and vegetables was important to Joan and she spent many hours passing this skill to all her children and most recently her great grandchildren. Her advice for a good life was to be thankful for every new day, share, read, and listen to music.

The family wishes to thank all who cared for our mother: Dr. Rado and Dr. Thuma, Dr. Vaughn, Dr. Cole, Kadlec Hospital, Canyon Lakes Restoration and Rehab Facility and all of their “wonderful and caring” staff who took care of our mom “like their own”. Extra special thanks to “her roomy”, Marie for her love and friendship to the end.