Joan Carmen Dohrer

Joan Carmen Dohrer was taken into the arms of her Savior on February 24, 2025, at the age of 91. Joan was born April 11, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois to Leon and Luella (Grau) Hanson. Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Jackson Hubert Church and Donald William Dohrer; her sister Terry Ann McAnally; daughter-in-law Nancy Ann Church; as well as granddaughter Karleigh Ann Dohrer and great grandson Asher James Church. Joan is survived by her brother, Donald Charles Hanson and his wife, Blanche Hanson; her children: Cole Jackson Church and wife, Anna; Joel Andrew Church and wife, Laura; Rosanna Lue Abreo and husband, Salvador; Shawn Michael Dohrer and wife, Hiroma (Schokman); Tammy Sue Irovic and husband, David; and Christopher Karl Dohrer. Joan is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Joan graduated from Britt High School in 1950 and followed her dream of becoming a nurse. Following graduation from a three-year RN nursing program at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, Joan entered the Army Nurse Corp, trained in San Antonio, and was stationed at Fort Hood. There she met and married Jack Church. After Jack died, she returned to Britt, Iowa with her three young children for a time and then moved to Iowa City, Iowa where she met Donald Dohrer. Joan and Don were united in marriage on March 21, 1964. Joan continued her education and obtained her BSN from the University of Iowa in Iowa City while raising six children. Throughout her career and even in retirement Joan was a caregiver to all she met. Many patients will remember her kindness and counsel.
Joan and Don spent most summer vacations with their children traveling to various places in the United States. Following retirement, Don and Joan became snow-birds traveling south and serving as hosts in various state parks. Later Joan enjoyed traveling abroad with her brother, sister-in-law, sister, and children. She loved seeing new places and lived life to the fullest.
Joan and Don moved to Hatton in 1993 and loved so many people in the community. Joan was an active member of the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church as well as the Hatton Community Club. For many years attendees of the Hatton Craft Day ate pies, sandwiches, bean soup, and other delicious food made by Joan.
Joan was a strong woman of faith and will be deeply missed by all those that knew her. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 15 at 11:00 am at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Hatton, Missouri. Internment services will be at the Jacksonville Veteran's Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church's children's ministry.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Joan Carmen (Hanson) Dohrer, please visit our floral store.