Joan passed away July 14, 2012. She was born on May 31, 1939 to Clarence and Dorothy Baken of Lacrosse, Wash.
She enjoyed growing up on a farm there and graduated from Lacrosse High School in 1957. Joan graduated from Washington State College with a degree in Elementary Education. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and enjoyed swimming on the synchronized swim team - The Fish Fans.
Upon graduation, Joan and Larry Hattemer were married on February 4, 1961. They began their teaching careers at Othello, Wash. where Joan taught one year before starting their family. Larry's teaching and coaching career lead them to Columbia Basin College at Pasco, Wash. for 12 years and then on to Eastern Washington University in 1979 to coach football until retirement. Retirement years were spent tending her home and garden near Edwall, Wash.
Their three children and now three grandchildren were the love of her life. She especially enjoyed family times of swimming, boating and water skiing at their cabin on Coeur d'Alene Lake. Many hours were also spent watching her husband's and children's sporting events. Gardening, bird watching, good music and dancing with Larry were also great sources of pleasure for her. Joan enjoyed the fellowship of the Edwall Women in Action group the last few years.
Joan is survived by her husband of 51 years, Larry; daughters, Renee Hoke (Dan), Laurie Halverson (Rick) and son Lance Hattemer; grandchildren Sophia, Evan and Ivy Halverson; sisters Orbie Gray (Walt), Jan Wigen (Larry Ellingson) and nieces and nephews. She will be missed immensely by all.
A celebration of Joan's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, at Showalter Auditorium on the Eastern Washington University campus. Burial will be in Davenport, Wash. at a later date. Donations in Joan's memory may be made to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, 1004 E. Eighth Ave., Spokane, WA 99202. Cheney Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. Online guestbook at cheneyfuneral.com.
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