Joan Carol Blade

Born in Minneapolis, MN to Howard H. and Sophie Dzubay Rasmussen, Joan was an only child. She graduated from Robbinsdale High School and attended nursing school at St. Elizabeth's Hosptial in Minneapolis. She was a medical assistant to three different doctors, as well as at the Heart Institute at the University of Minnesota.

In 1956, she married her high school sweetheart, Gary A. Blade. Married for 66 years, they lived in Minneapolis and Robbinsdale, MN, Champaign and Urbana, IL, Mansfield, CT, Edgewood, KY, Fairfield and Hamilton, OH, Quincy and Charleston, IL and New Port Richey, FL.

While in Quincy, IL, Joan was an active member of St. John's Anglican Catholic Church and was a past Matron of the Alpha Chapter #109 Order of the Eastern Star. She remained active in Church and Masonic related activities for many years throughout her moves until declining health prohibited her.

Family was the most important thing to Joan. She and Gary fostered a young girl, Nancy, before they began their own family. She delighted in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always giving of herself, especially to her family, and did so up until her death.

She was predeceased by both her parents. She is survived by husband Gary A. Blade, daughters Jennifer Karen (Mark) Murrell, Grand Junction, CO Rebecca Joan (Kevin) Sams, Hamilton, OH and son Matthew Howard Blade, Dayton, NV, grandsons Zachary Blade and Christopher Sams, granddaughters Angelica Blade, Natalie (Craig) Sams and Megan (Patrick) Clendinning and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at All Souls Chapel, St. John's Anglican Catholic Church 3728 Payson Road, Quincy, IL 62305, Saturday, September 30, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. Requiem Mass will follow at 10 a.m.

If you wish to remember Joan in a special way, please make your gifts to St. John's Anglican Catholic Church.