Joan Eliason

The world was blessed when Joan Marie Eliason was born on December 5, 1942. On October 15, 2022, it became a sadder, less bright world without her in it.
Joan was a beautiful, fiercely independent, strong, humble, selfless, wise, tough lady, along with being a caring wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, friend, neighbor, and volunteer. She passed away a few months shy of her 80th birthday, from complications related to her third encounter with ovarian cancer. She had the gumption to get through this third bout, but her body finally said "Enough."
Joan had the unique talent for collecting friends, accentuated by her non-judgmental approach to relationships and the rare ability to love unconditionally. Throughout her career and work life, she actively supported her husband's passion for archery, which took her many places to visit and live. Her strong Norwegian family network, and love for travel, provided the opportunity for Mom to make friends worldwide. So many people at home and around the world grew to appreciate her compassion and humor - and to love her as the special person she surely was.
Joan was a good cook (oh, her lasagna!) and enjoyed entertaining family, friends and newcomers. This was a good fit as she often hosted national and international archers (and their partners) in her home. If you ever had a seat at her table, either volunteering to calculate scorecards (by hand, with pencils) at yet another archery tournament, or at her home, enjoying "happy hour" or a meal, you felt warmly welcomed and happily appreciated, and your glass was likely never empty. Drop-ins would get a glass and a plate of whatever was available. She was the giving-est person you could ever meet, and never sought credit or recognition for herself.
Joan was raised in Seattle, Washington, the only child of John Edwin Knudson and Vivian (Lunde) Knudson. She was lucky to be a beach kid, spending summers at Vashon Island, Hood Canal and at her family home in the Ballard neighborhood during the school year. She graduated from Ballard High School in 1961, where she was Girls Club President. Ballard was the hub of Scandinavian immigrants, including most of her grandparents. After a semester at Washington State University, she returned home to attend the University of Washington and work for the Washington State Ferry System. She was informed of the company rules, that employees were not allowed to date any of the crew. Although Joan was generally always a dutiful rule follower, she saw someone who caught her eye.
Joan married the love of her life, Edwin Eliason, on March 12, 1965, following his military service in Vietnam. She mailed homemade chocolate chip cookies to his barracks every week, packed in popcorn, not ever knowing whether Ed would receive them. Joan and Ed enjoyed a lifetime of travel adventures, almost always archery related, including the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany; Pan-American games in South America; tournaments in Costa Rica, Japan, Norway, and many other places, including Miami, Ohio, for many US National tournaments. Joan's favorite stops were New Zealand, Australia, and Tahiti, in case your own bucket list needs some suggestions. More favorite travel memories were snowmobiling trips with her "Girls" in Yaak, Montana, beachcombing in Sanibel, Florida, sailing trips in the BVI, and Walt Disney World, a grandmother's dream.
Ed and Joan were married for 57 years, and Dad admits he had no idea how spoiled he has been. The couple relocated for employment opportunities first in Fort Bragg (when the Army said so), back home to Seattle, then Charlotte, North Carolina, returning to Seattle, and then Stansbury Park, Utah, making wonderful friends along each stop. Joan developed her career in banking and supply chain management. Eventually, she became purchasing manager and key account manager for Cardinal Health. One career highlight was being in charge of supplying all of the medical stations for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. She didn't really get excited about earning free tickets to the Foo Fighters Olympic Celebration Concert / Medals Ceremony, but attended anyway.
Joan was blessed with a son, John Eliason (Charise,) from Ed's previous marriage, and a daughter, Kristie (David McMullin.) Joan recently traveled to Seattle to visit family, friends and landmarks, recounting so many happy memories. She was the best mother and grandmother on earth, and was a mentor and "parent" to so many who weren't blood related. That was the fun of having a relatively small family of her own, she adopted others and collected friends.
Joan and Ed "retired" in Chekshani Cliffs, Utah, where they have enjoyed close friendships with their neighborhood family. They continued to volunteer countless hours coordinating archery events for both Utah Summer Games and Huntsman Senior Games. Joan and Ed enjoyed serving with the Cedar City Lions Club and are grateful for these friendships.
She lived to see both of her granddaughters, Janelle and Cassie Eliason, graduate from nursing school at Gonzaga University, following years of beautiful dance recitals. She also saw her grandson, Cooper McMullin, graduate from Canyon View High School with honors, and attended all of his football and lacrosse games. That was a rewarding 8 years, serving as motivation to put cancer in the background to concentrate on her priority of living her life. Joan was also an avid snow skier until her early 70s. Her goal was always to keep up with her grandkids.
Joan's family is grateful to all of her caregivers, especially those at Sun Tree Hospice, and the Cedar City / St. George Intermountain Hospitals, and Southern Utah Mortuary. We honor the heroes at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she had her initial successful ovarian cancer surgery in 2014. Special appreciation goes to the employees at the Cedar City Cancer Center. Mom considered this team as her friends. She didn't mind going to her quarterly follow up appointments to visit with these special and kind people. This is a lot of words to honor others, and this is how Joan would have wanted her obituary written. In fact, she'd probably prefer we led with this paragraph and skipped the rest.
To honor our Mom, Joan Knudson Eliason, give extra hugs to someone, don't allow guilt or worry into your life, and say "Cheers" or the Norwegian "Skál" while sharing drinks with friends. In true "Joan" fashion, she did not want a funeral service of any kind. We'll likely celebrate her life as a family for her upcoming 80th birthday. (It's a surprise, so don't tell her!) If you have a memory to share, or advice for her family going forward, please email eliasonmemories@gmail.com.
You are also welcome to make a donation to the Intermountain Cancer Center in Cedar City, or take treats to the deserving team there. Donations can also be made to the organizations named above, where Joan and Ed volunteered so much of their time, or to any local archery organization you support. Joan's family is so very grateful for all the support and complete love shown for her and all of us.
Arrangements were under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary.