Joan Maurer Westadt

Joan Maurer Westadt age 79 of Laurel, Nebraska died on Saturday, June 08, 2024 at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Faith Community Church in Laurel with the Rev. Doug Collins officiating.  Burial will be at the Belden Cemetery in Belden, Nebraska.   Visitation will be on Monday, at church, from 6-8 p.m. and will continue on Tuesday one hour prior to services.   Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Laurel.

 Pallbearers will be Craig Cooper, Kathern Kocsis, Steven Nash, Ian Mueller, Andy Tishtammer, and Deb Knobbe.

 Joan was born on July 25, 1944 in Neligh, Nebraska to Elmer Anton and Agnes Kathern (VanKirk) Maurer.  She grew up in Hartington, Nebraska and graduated from Hartington High School in 1963.   Joan worked for Jack and Gert Konz at the Globe prior to and after her marriage to James Vincent Westadt on August 8, 1965 in Laurel.  She cleaned houses while her kids were in school.  Joan especially loved to clean windows.  Joan then became the bookkeeper for their own from business, J&J Dairy, from 1983-1995.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, now the Faith Community Church. Joan taught Sunday school and also served as superintendent.  Joan belonged to the Laurel Woman’s Bowling League and the couple’s league with Jim.  Joan was the President of her children’s and grandchildren's fan clubs. 

 Joan is survived by her husband Jim of Laurel; two children: son Drew Westadt of Minneapolis, MN; daughter Shawn Mueller of Lutherville, MD; five grandchildren Rhiannon Root of Baltimore, MD, Ian and Mattie Mueller of Lutherville, MD, Justin Mueller of Sutherland, NE, Kerrianne Hager of Hickman, NE; seven great-grandchildren; one sister Barbra Howard of Omaha; one brother Roy (Linda) Maurer of Burleson, TX; numerous nieces and nephews.

 Joan was preceded in death by her parents Elmer Maurer and Agnes Johnson; four siblings Alvin & Elmer Maurer Jr, Beverly Cline, and Betty Cooper; son-in-law Les Mueller.