Joan L. George of Hermiston died on Oct. 15, 2018 after living with cancer for two years.
She was born on July 7, 1932 in Cozad, Neb. to Bernard and Rosa Gerdes Heumphreus.
The family moved west to Umatilla then Walla Walla, and our tomboy mom lived family life adventurously during the Prohibition era, the Great Depression and World War II. She married our dad, Mack George in 1951, and thus began adventures of another kind. She said she always wanted a dozen children and she came close.
Along with raising her family, Mom also traveled to various semi-remote locations with our dad, who worked a construction crew which provided power lines and substations throughout the Pacific Northwest. Not much in their lives was easy.
After settling in Hermiston in 1961, Mom worked several different part-time jobs and eventually ended her career at Lamb Weston in the toolroom. She enjoyed her work and especially enjoyed her co-workers.
Joan was a longtime member of Grace Baptist Church, having spent years assisting with various ministries. Her church family was as dear to her as she was to them. Our mom was tender-hearted and always gave of herself to friends and community, in addition to always being there for her family. She volunteered for years at Agape House, the community dinner program and her pet projects: making hundreds of Easter baskets for area kids and hundreds of shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
She is survived by her children, Deborah George, Michael George, Dana (Cesar) Nunez, Richard George, Steven George, Tony (Brandi) George, Chris (Soonhe)
George, Jeff (Tangie) George and finally David George; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Mack and grandson, Brian George.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 at Grace Baptist Church, 555 S.W. 11th St., Hermiston.
To leave an online condolence for the family, go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
