Obituary
Joan Tedstrom, age 83 went to heaven on November 2, 2021 after a long and brave battle against COPD. Her sons John Tedstrom, III, of San Diego, CA and Bill Tedstrom of Phoenix, AZ, were at her side. Numerous friends and neighbors had had the opportunity to be with her in person or to speak by phone or video calls in the weeks prior to her death. In addition to her sons, she is survived by her brother William Quarles, Jr. of Walnut Creek, CA and sister Mary Jane Blair of Iowa. Joan is also survived by nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
She is preceded in death by her husband John Tedstrom, Jr., who died in 2002.
Joan was born on October 1, 1938, in Parsons, KS, to parents William K. and Lucille C. Quarles. She graduated from Parsons Community College with an Associate’s Degree. In 1968, the family relocated briefly to Cuyahoga Falls, OH, before moving in 1970 to Goshen, IN, which became their adopted hometown for nearly 40 years. While in Goshen, Joan continued her education at Indiana University, South Bend; and Notre Dame where she studied legal issues related to the insurance industry, in which pursued a successful career before retiring to Wildwood, Florida, in 2005.
Joan was a loving mother, sister, aunt and loyal friend. She was a social, active woman who was deeply involved in her children’s passions, her community, and golfing. Always eager to try something new, even during her later years, she had a habit of corralling her friends into trying unusual experiences such as zip lining, indoor sky diving and trips to places like Russia. The joy she received from her family and friends was boundless. Joan will always be remembered as a welcoming, happy, and genuinely caring person with a strong positive energy, sharp sense of humor and infectious laugh.
The family would like to thank all of her friends and family for a life well lived, and Vitas Healthcare for taking such good care of her over the past year. Donations can be made in her name to the American Heart Association at: http://www2.heart.org/goto/Joan_Tedstrom or to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at: http://giftfunds.stjude.org/Joan_Tedstrom
You! Susan, Martin and Sophia