Joan Nienke

Joan B. Nienke 1941 – 2021

At home in Denver July 15, 2021 just after 8:30PM a special woman flew with the angels.  Loving Mother, Wife and Grandmother, Joan Nienke leaves behind her two daughters, Andrea Matson, Son-in-law Richard Matson, daughter Karen Landers Zeile and grandson Udo Zeile.

Joan was born January 14, 1941 to George and Geneva Bell, grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Joan married Thomas Ruff  February 22, 1973 (deceased 1988) and later married William Nienke on September 2, 1991 (deceased 2018)

Joan was an amazing human being, kind, witty, and with an infectious laugh and beautiful smile.  A forgiving person that believed in second chances and believed in the greater good, she always told her girls to stand above it and not get involved in the chatter. “You can’t change the way people think about you, they don’t walk in your shoes!”

Joan threw the best parties. She invited everyone, no one was excluded, she always said the food and drinks would work themselves out, and there was always a lot of food and plenty to drink!   Joan had an amazing singing voice and taught her girls the love of music and dancing. Mom was always up for live music, everything from good old rock and roll, as well as jazz, blues and classical, she just wanted us to love music. Mom was an avid gardener and had the most stunning yard, it was like walking into the Garden of Eden. After retirement our Mom studied Theology. She loved to learn and read at least one book a week and was quick to recommend her picks to you. Joan also loved to golf with her girlfriends, she always said that she was a

terrible golfer but loved getting out there and having fun; in fact Mom and her friend had a secret golf code SDHMFSOB! She was a good friend to many and always made you feel welcome. Joan also loved to travel and see the world, her favorite times were with her family. We all loved going wherever the wind took us, whether Alaska, Europe, Canada, Cruises here and there or just hanging at the beach or spending time in our beloved mountains.

Joan believed that forgiveness was the key to a happy life and don’t wait until tomorrow to do the things that you love. She loved her family, as well as friends that became family; her Nephews and Nieces and everyone in between. She was simply “Just Joan” and one of the kindest people we were all blessed to have known. Although diagnosed with ALS, there wasn’t a day that she didn’t have a smile on her face and said ‘it is, what it is.” She handled her final challenge in life with dignity and grace. That is who she was. Our family has not only lost a Mom but our best friend. There aren’t many decisions that the 3 of us have made without the other 2, we had an incredibly special bond and it will take an eternity to mend our hearts. Mom’s favorite drink was a rusty nail so if you are so inclined, please pour yourself something delicious and say a toast to my Mom, she would really love that.

We will be hosting a celebration of her life on September 4, 2021 at 12:00PM at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection.