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Harrison, Joan
UPDATED Joan Harrison, 79, died Thursday, June 10, 2010, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 14, at the Presbyterian Church in Vinton, with the Rev. Mike Andrew officiating. Interment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel, 212 E. Sixth St., Vinton, from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Joan was born May 5, 1931, in Des Moines, to Lloyd, “L.A.” and Lois Michael. On Feb. 11, 1950, she was united in marriage to Marion Harrison. Joan and Marion farmed in the Vinton and Shellsburg area until 1971. The couple then bought the Lazy H Tap and Grill in Shellsburg and operated it until 1984. Joan then worked for United Fire and Casualty until her retirement in 1994. Marion preceded Joan in death in 1996.
Joan loved her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her friends, NASCAR and her beloved cats.
She is survived by her children, Mike (Rose) Harrison of Cedar Rapids, Chris (Glenn) Schanbacher of Shellsburg, Rita (Jim) Fix of Vinton, Mary (Scott) Hepker of Urbana and Mark (Deb) Harrison of Shellsburg; her grandchildren, Jodi Harrison, Andy Harrison, Brian Bruggeman, Michelle O Haver, Melissa Kaump and Tim Schanbacher, Ed Schanbacher, Sarah Geiger, P.J. Fix, Meghan Hepker, Matthew Hepker, Mitchell Harrison and Gordon Harrison; her great-grandchildren, Joseph, Kirby and Drew Harrison, Coy and Carson O. Haver, Caleb Kaump, Will Schanbacher, and Cole and Claire Schanbacher; her brothers, Ron (Kay) Dowd of Vinton and Larry Michael of Vinton; her brother-in-law, Gary (Karen) Harrison of Williamsburg; and her sisters-in-law, Phyllis Harrison of Dysart and Beth Harrison of Marshalltown.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her stepmother, Deloris Michael; two brothers-in-law, Dean and Roger Harrison; and her daughter-in-law, Janice Harrison.
Joan's family would like to thank the nurses and staff of St. Luke's Hospital, ICU, 3 West, the surgical team, Dr. Collett, Dr. Saxena and Dr. Hodgeman. A special thank you to Dr. Ali. If anything good came out of this event, it is that we met a very caring and special man - “thank you, Dr. Ali for everything.”
Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association of Eastern Iowa, American Heart Association or your charity of choice.
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