Joan O. Reeske

Joan O. Reeske was born on April 23, 1932 in Glendale, CA to parents, William and Mary Douglas Erbey. She was a 5th generation Californian. Joan died on December 1, 2008 in Hermiston, OR as the result of an accident at the age of 76 years. Joan was raised in Southern California, graduating from El Monte High School in 1950. She then attended Mt. San Antonio College for a time where she studied early childhood development. Joan raised her children in Southern California before moving to Hermiston, OR in 1995, where she has lived since. She worked at Good Shepherd Hospital in Hermiston from 1995 until retiring in 1999. Joan was a member of St. Johns Episcopal Church in Hermiston, OR and Friends of the Library. She enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, and entertaining her family and friends. Joan loved gardening and her yard was featured in the magazine "Birds and Blooms". She is survived by her sons: Jeff Reeske, Houston, TX, Mark Reeske, Camarillo, CA, and Mike Reeske, Indio, CA; daughters: Marianne Sturtevant, Pasco, WA, Melissa Dawson, Hermiston, OR, and Rosie de la Harpe, Seattle, WA; brother: Ron Erbey, Palmer, AK; sister: Betty Thomas, Long Beach, CA; 11 grandchildren; and 2 great grandsons; several nieces and nephews. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband: William Michael Reeske, and brothers: Bill, Cliff, and Doug Erbey. A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Johns Episcopal Church, Hermiston, OR. Those who wish may make contributions in Joan's memory to St. Johns Episcopal Church at 665 E. Gladys Ave., Hermiston, OR 97838. Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, OR is in care of arrangements.