Joan Kay Colbert, 85, died November 13, 2025, in Sigourney, Iowa. She was born July 6, 1940, to Carroll and Goldie Longwell Wade near North English. Joan grew up in rural Keokuk County and attended Webster school until it closed. She graduated from English Valley School in 1958. After graduation, Joan moved to Cedar Rapids where she attended airline school and worked.
Joan married Jimmy Dean Colbert on September 10, 1959, at the North English Christian Church. She followed Jimmy to Germany while he was stationed there for the United States Army. It was in Germany that they started a family, welcoming their first daughter Diana while living overseas. When Jimmy was discharged from the service in 1963, Joan and Jimmy began farming south of Delta, near the Delta Covered Bridge. They moved to rural Sigourney in 1970 to the current Colbert farm. In additional to being a terrific mother and farm wife, Joan worked at the Manor House in Sigourney for roughly 15 years.
Joan proudly served on the Keokuk County Expo Board and she was a member of the Sigourney Christian Church and Thursday Club. In 2021, Joan was inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. Joan's other activities included baking and gardening. And family and friends knew not to get in her way when it was time for bingo or bowling.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jimmy, her parents, daughter Diana Smith, brother Sam Wade, sister Jane Dietz, and her in-laws Fred and Gertrude Colbert.
Grieving the loss of Joan are: daughters Patricia Snyder of Sigourney and Pamela (Russell) Walker of Salem, South Carolina; son Frank (Laura) Colbert of Webster; and brother David Wade of North English. Grieving the loss of their Grammie Joan are her nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Keokuk County Expo or to the Sigourney Christian Church.
Visitation: Monday November 17, 2025 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Holm Funeral Home
Funeral Service: Tuesday November 18, 2025 10:00 a.m. Sigourney Christian Church
Burial: Springfield Cemetery - Delta, Iowa
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
320 N Shuffleton St, Sigourney, IA 52591
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.


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