Joan Ruth Doremus Blackledge was called Home to be with Jesus on May 8, 2023, at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln.
Joan was born June 21, 1938, to Walter and Norma (Sagehorn) Gerkensmeyer in Seward, and was the youngest of three daughters. Joan was baptized July 10, 1938, and confirmed April 6, 1952, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Seward. Joan graduated from Seward High School in 1958, and then attended Concordia College in Seward. In the years following, she taught in country schools in Seward and Saline counties. Joan married Glen Doremus on July 27, 1958. Together, they moved to Crete, where Glen was employed at the Crete News. Glen and Joan raised their two children, Jodi and Paul, in Crete.
In 1962, Joan began a 10-year employment as the manager of the Doane College Bookstore. She then opened Home Service, a home decorating and craft business in Crete. She ran her store for 27 years. Joan enjoyed working with the public and helping anyone, any way she could. She was a Crete Area Medical Center board member from 1990 to 2005 and an active member of the Crete Chamber of Commerce. When she retired, Joan’s grandchildren’s sports and activities became her focus and passion, where she seldom missed an event.
A few years after the passing of Joan’s husband, Glen, Joan married RC Blackledge of Martell on July 26, 2008. Joan and RC resided in Martell.
Joan loved spending time with her grandchildren, and in her later years, was excited to be involved with her growing number of great-grandchildren. She was always happy to “rock a baby” as she said, visit with family and friends on the phone, and attend activities for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Joan is survived by her husband, RC Blackledge of Martell; children, Jodi and Ron of Crete and Paul and Sheri Doremus of rural Crete; grandchildren, Daniel and Tracey Connell of Crete, Matthew and Angela Connell of Washington, Shaylen and Colton Keller of Lincoln, Skyler and Darin Effle of Lincoln, Tayler Doremus of Lincoln and Terrah Doremus of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Maximus, Zackery, Avery, Elliot, Barrett, Mason, Kashus, and Jolene. She is also survived by her step-children, numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Norma; her husband, Glen; sisters, Shirley Perkins and Ardith Ficken; and brothers-in-law, Keith Perkins and Norman Ficken.
The Celebration of Joan’s Life was May 12 at Lincoln Memorial Park and Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to Congregational United Church of Christ, 208 N. Harrison St., Hallam, Nebraska 68368. Arrangements by Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home.
