Joanne Wieand

Raleigh and Joanne

Joanne Ruth Wieand
02 Aug 1932 - 09 Jan 2015

Clubs & Associations

Obituary

Joanne Ruth Wieand
Born Joanne Ruth Thomas on August 2, 1932, in Los Angeles, California, Joanne grew up in Altadena, California, and attended high school in Susanville, CA. She graduated in 1950. While a senior, she co-edited the school year book and did the art work for it. She was co-valedictorian for her graduation ceremony. Joanne attended Pomona College in Claremont, California and graduated from U.C.L.A. in 1954 with a B.A. in psychology.

Joanne joined Fauntleroy Community Church in 1961 and was active in the choir and three handbell choirs. She taught Sunday school and served on various committees. As an instructor with Highline Community College, Joanne taught at several Parent Cooperative Preschool and toddler groups. In West Seattle she developed and taught at a church-sponsored Head Start preschool. She was also a driver for "Fish," taking children to the Spastic Children's Center for treatment.

In 1984 Joanne married Raleigh Wieand, with whom she enjoyed dancing, R.V.ing and cruising.

Woven in among the main threads of her life as wife and mother were many other activities and accomplishments. With her husband, Raleigh, she helped to design and build their home in West Seattle; she hand-crafted over 350 bears recycled from old fur coats; she played piano and organ for various churches; she created banners for church celebrations; she was a "mom volunteer" for the "Hi-liners" making costumes and chaperoning their performances.

And for pure fun, Joanne went para-sailing in Mexico, walked on glaciers in Alaska, did skydiving in Hawaii and Washington, took hot-air balloon rides in New Mexico, and rode in the 1972 unlimited Hydro, "Pride of Pay 'n Pak" all around Lake Washington.

Joanne is survived by her husband, Raleigh Wieand, her daughter Ellen Angus, her son Tom Dickens, her foster son Kevin Sturt, and five grandchildren and a great granddaughter. Services will be held sometime in March at Fauntleroy Community Church.^[1]