Joan Marie Whetzel

Joan Marie Whetzel, a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother passed away at her home on June 10, 2024, at the age of 66. Born on December 28, 1957, in Toledo, Ohio, Joan's life was a tapestry woven with love, compassion, and creativity. Joan's journey was marked by numerous accomplishments and contributions to the communities she touched. She graduated from Sharpstown High School in Houston, where she found her passion for music, playing the flute in the marching band.
Following her graduation in 1975, Joan embarked on a path of service, earning her LVN certificate in Nursing and dedicating herself to caring for others at Memorial Southwest Hospital. Her nurturing spirit brought comfort and healing to many.
Joan met Mark Irwin Whetzel during her days working at the hospital. They embarked on a journey that involved a shared love of music, Star Wars, and driving around in matching SAABs. They married on November 24, 1979, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. Their union was blessed with love, laughter, two children, and five grandchildren.
A continued thirst for knowledge and expression led Joan to pursue a degree in Journalism at The University of Houston. She spent a lot of her time writing articles and blogging about topics that were important to her. Beyond her literary skills, Joan was also an artist, using pastels to create lovely scenes and abstracts. Her artwork served as a testament to her creativity and an eye for beauty found in nature.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Mark Whetzel (2013) and her father, Robert Tiemann (2014). She is survived by her daughter, Emily Whetzel, her son, David Whetzel (Mirranda), and granddaughters, Haleigh, Cidney, Riley, Winry, and Venelope, her mother, Mary Louise Tiemann, and her siblings, Carol TenBrook, Mary Jo Finch, Steve Tiemann, and Amy Klein, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Joan will be remembered not only for her achievements but also for her kindness, the warmth of her smile, a contagious laugh, and the enduring impact she made on the lives of all who knew her. She leaves a legacy of love, loyalty, and compassion, that will continue to inspire others.
In honoring Joan's memory, let us celebrate the richness of her life and the immeasurable joy she brought to those fortunate enough to have known her. Though she may be gone from our sight, her spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her dearly. May she rest in eternal peace. The family will celebrate her life in a private ceremony.