Wald – Joan Cecile Wald of Brooks, beloved wife of Ted Wald, passed away in Brooks on Wednesday, July 19th, 2017 at the age of 80 years. Joan was born in Mankota, Saskatchewan on February 5th, 1937 to JC and Myrtle Evans. In 1941, when she was four years old, she moved with her parents and siblings Shirley, Bill and John to Brownvale, Alberta. They spent lots of time in North Star, Alberta where JC’s parents, brothers, and sister had settled. Joan spent her school years in Brownvale and graduated from high school in Berwyn, Alberta. After high school, Joan moved to Peace River with her girlfriends and worked in banking. A short time later, on July 3rd, 1957, Joan married Ted Wald. Their first home was a trailer parked at the Pouce Coupe Gravel Pit, where Ted worked. This is where she learned to become a homemaker. This included several tries at making lemon meringue pie, of which a few landed deep into the bush. They took over the Blue Hawk Farm from Ted’s parents in 1959, where Joan enjoyed the very active role of a farm wife. They had a grain and cattle farming operation and she raised animals including horses, pigs, chickens, turkeys and dogs. Joan raised her three children Rosalie, Richard and Donna, drove equipment, and fed many hired hands. She became a terrific cook and one of her favorite memories was transporting big meals out to the fields at harvest time. Joan’s fried chicken and homemade ice cream are memorable. She and Ted were active members in the Alberta Wheat Pool Association, representing northern Alberta. In 1975, they sold the farm and moved to Grimshaw, Alberta. Joan always worked alongside her husband. They had a trucking / equipment company, ran a bulk fuel plant, and Ted’s oilfield consulting business. By this time her children, Dode, Boomer and Donna were teenagers and she became the supermom ferrying her kids around to hockey, baseball and volleyball events. Joan did find time for golf and enjoyed many rounds with her friends. The consulting business took them to Grande Prairie in 1981. Joan then spent some time working in Real Estate. In 1983, an opportunity came along to move to Brooks, where they again operated a bulk fuel distributorship and spent 34 years as well-known giving community members. She continued to enjoy golfing, and really enjoyed RV travelling with family and friends. Raising horses alongside Ted was a favorite past time as well. Joan was also an avid reader, and was very creative with sewing (like double layer Eskimo Coats), knitting and crocheting, as long as her hands and eyesight permitted. She loved to tell a good joke, always loved a funny. In her quiet and witty way she could quietly command a room, settle her noisy brothers-in-law and incite laughter, such as the time she called her nephew ‘hotter than a tea pot,’ at a large family gathering. Best of all, she enjoyed participating in her grandchildren’s growth – Hannah, Rocan, Taylor and Jamie. She was so proud of them, from babies to the lovely adults they have become today. Joan has recently been described as nice, kind, strong, witty and wise as well as a good friend, Auntie, Mom and Grand Mom. May we all remember her awesome heart and the great contributions and memories she has given us. Joan did trust in God’s love. Psalm 13:5 says “As for me, I trust in your loyal love; my heart will rejoice in your acts of salvation.” She was predeceased by her parents, JC and Myrtle Evans and sister, Shirley Dunne (Evans). Joan is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Ted Wald; children, Rosalie Wald of Wainwright, Alberta, Richard Wald and his wife JoAnn of Brooks and Donna Drader and her spouse Duncan Stewart of Brooks; grandchildren, Hannah Drader and her boyfriend Brayden Gallant of Coaldale, Rocan Drader and his girlfriend Laci Cowan of Brooks, Taylor Wald of Brooks and Jamie Wald and her boyfriend Nick Burger of Lethbridge. A private Celebration of Life was held on Sunday, July 30th at 2:00 PM from Brooks EID Legion. In memory of Joan, if friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to Alzheimer Society of Alberta, #201, 770 – 6th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4J6.
Cremation is entrusted to Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematorium, Brooks.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD. AND CREMATORIUM
BROOKS, ALBERTA
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