Joan Marie Allred

Joan Marie Allred, 81, of Pocatello, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2015 after facing the challenges of Alzheimer's disease.

Joan was born on May 2, 1934 to John and Marie Miller in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. She enjoyed life on the family farm and graduated from Aliquippa High in 1952. After high school, she was trained as a telephone operator and worked for Bell Telephone Company in Philadelphia. While in Philadelphia she met and fell in love with Wade Allred who was in the Navy. They were married on December 2, 1953, and she and Wade loved the tale of him pushing her in a wheelbarrow down the road after the wedding reception. After Wade was discharged from the Navy, they moved to Idaho where he went to school at ISU. Joan worked for Mountain Bell for 25 years and was an active member of the CWA Union, and served as president of the local union.

Joan loved spending time with family and friends boating and camping. She had an appetite for knowledge and had many interests. She was a talented quilter and treasured her time with her circle of quilting friends, going to classes, retreats and quilt shows. Joan truly had a green thumb and was proud of her huge flower and vegetable gardens. At harvest time she delighted in canning and sharing the fruits of her labor.

Joan will be most remembered for her enduring spirit, high energy, and her generosity. She loved her children but her grandchildren were the light of her life. She doted on them and was the world's best grandma.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wade in 2011, after 57 years of marriage; a brother, Clark and a granddaughter, Rebecca Weaver.

Joan is survived by her children; Allan (Shannon), Sharon (Ron) Weaver, Ronald (Becky) and Shirleen (Dick) Coleman, ten grandchildren; Elizabeth, Jacqueline Joan, Rod, Matthew Wade, Aleigh, Shantae, Jared, Nicholas, Barbara Anne, and Angela; four great-grandchildren and three sisters; Dora Long, Elma Harrison, and Peggy Walker.

The family would like to thank Dr. LaVonne Mills for her wisdom and compassionate care of Joan during her final years and for her direction of the Heritage Hospice caregivers. The family would also like to acknowledge the love and professionalism of the staff at Copper Summit Assisted Living Center including April Busby, Director; Amanda Krieter, House Manager, and Joan's team of caregivers: Allie, Misty, Cheryl, Jasmine, Gabriele, AyLexas, Ashlie, Makaylah, Kami, Eleanor, Paul, Mahrika, Michelle, Debbie and Alaina.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2015 at Mountain View Cemetery, Section 53 W at 1:00 p.m. Donations in her memory can be made to the Idaho Foodbank at www.idahofoodbank.org

Arrangements are under the direction of Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, Idaho 83202. 208-238-8000.