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Joan Batchelder
JOAN BATCHELDER
Central City
Joan Batchelder, 77, of Central City, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 9, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Squaw Creek Baptist Church, Marion, conducted by Pastor James Perry and Pastor Andy Saul. Burial will follow at Mount Clark Cemetery, Central City.
Joan was born June 23, 1940, in the family farmhouse in Clayton County, Iowa, the daughter of Richard and Maxine (Odekirk) Bennington. In June of 1961, Joan graduated from St. Luke's School of Nursing and was employed as a registered nurse for several years. Joan was united in marriage to Ray Gilbert Batchelder on Oct. 1, 1961, in Cedar Rapids. She was a dedicated farm wife and homemaker, raising her family. Joan later was employed as a rural mail carrier. She loved playing cards, traveling with family, and never missed going to sports activities of her kids and grandkids. Joan enjoyed sewing, reading, camping and canoeing in her free time. She was known for her delicious three-bean salad and the best warm potato salad you could ever have. Joan was a loving, caring and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, Ray Batchelder of Central City; three daughters, Suzy Schulte of Cedar Rapids, Jen (James) Sewell of Saratoga, Wyo., and Liz "Buffy" (R.J.) Blood of Alburnett; and seven grandchildren.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter at infancy, Susan Ellyne Batchelder on Aug. 27, 1968; a son at infancy, Stephen Gilbert Batchelder on Dec. 14, 1970; and two brothers, Keith Bennington and Danny Bennington.
All memorials will be directed toward the continued support of children through the World Vision Program in Joan's memory.
Please share a memory of Joan at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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