Joan A. Gabrielson-Mims-Ash, of Burns, passed away on March 30, 2022.

Joan was born Aug. 3, 1932, to Ole and Emily Oberg-Gabrielson, the sixth of nine children. She attended Firgrove Grade School and Puyallup High School. Joan married Roy Mims, Jr. in 1952 and the moved to Burns. Roy passed away in 1986, leaving a big hold in her heart.

Joan had many interests, quilting being at the top of the list, with sewing, crafts and reading, later to be books on tapes. She taught sewing as a 4-H leader for several years. She started working for Tiller’s Market, then for Blakes IGA.

In 1989, she met Louis Ash and they were married in October. They had many adventures, fishing, camping and traveling. In 2018, she was shocked on her cheek by a cordless house phone. 

That caused quite a journey as she developed a type of seizure that affected her whole body and she spent a year and a half in the Vale Nursing home. She made many friends while there and was getting quite a bit better. It was decided she could go home. 

That only lasted a week, and she moved in with Kelly and Wes Land. Kelly and Wes gave her the quality of life in her last year she wouldn’t have received anywhere else. She quickly made friends with the four dogs, but Jack (border collie), took it upon himself to be her guardian! He watched her day and night! She also rediscovered yard sales! Oh my!

Surviving are her husband, Louis; daughter, Barbara (Tom) Howard; son, Dave (Janna) Mims; stepdaughters, Debbie (Don) Greenfield, Lori (Terry) Ott, Tammy (Ron) Carroll, and Kelly (Wes) Land); sisters, Marie Murr, Katharine (Jack) Bennett; brother, Ira Gabrielson; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Mims, Jr.; sisters, Iola (Benny) Allison, Marjorie (Stan) Stackhouse; brothers, George, Eugene and Fred Gabrielson; brother-in-law, Natt Murr; grandsons, John and Pat Howard.

Memorial contributions can by made to th Arthritis Foundation of a charity of one’s choice.