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Joan LaVonne Unash
Joan LaVonne Unash
Marion
Joan LaVonne Unash passed away peacefully surrounded by family on September 13th, 2025, at her home in Marion, Iowa at the age of 85. Joan was born June 19th, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to James and Osia Craft. Up until the end Joan maintained her kindness, grace, compassion, appreciation of laughing, love of family and friends, and was thankful for her long life, full of wonderful experiences.
In 1959 she was united in marriage with Larry Unash and started her most cherished achievement of creating a family. Together they moved to many wonderful locations including Hawaii, Louisiana, New Mexico, and California following Larry’s Navy career. During that time, they had three children, Christine, Steve, and Charlotte. They eventually settled in Ely, Iowa where they lived for many years on their peaceful acreage. From her children came three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her father James Craft, her mother Osia Craft, and her siblings Joyce Ford, Judy Andrews, and Janet Blank. She is survived by her beloved husband, Larry, her sister, Patty Gatens, her children Christine Fickes (Scott), Steve Unash, and Charlotte Richmann (Dennis), Her grandchildren Torey Fickes, Tristan Fickes (Jennifer Osgood-Fickes), and Ryan Unash (Michael Werner), and great-grandchildren Alice and Amelia Osgood-Fickes.
A Celebration of life Memorial Service will be held at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Thursday, September 18th, 2025, from 12:00 – 3:00 pm; burial will follow after the service at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Joan will be remembered for her focus on family, laughing and the creation of many, many afghans which she crocheted by hand. She had a great sense of adventure and loved to travel. She was the connection that brought everyone together and the first one to be there in time of need. The only requests she ever had were to be warm and for her grandchildren to call her “grandma.” Her presence will be sorely missed, but her memory will be strong with all who knew her.
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