Joan Wengert

Joan Wengert, 95, of Des Moines, IA, formerly of State Center, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at Southern Hills Specialty Care in Osceola, IA.

Born Elinor Joan McDonald on January 21, 1930 in Artesian, South Dakota, she was the only child of Archibald “Archie” and Hazel (Mack) McDonald. At the age of 3, her mother passed away and she was raised by her grandparents, William B. and Agnes Patterson MacDonald. Shortly after, they moved to the rural Boone area. She was raised with her cousin, William Haley, who was more like a brother to her. After graduating from Jordan High School in 1948, Joan started nursing school and working for a year as a Nurses Aide at the Evangelical Deaconess Hospital in Marshalltown.

On June 12, 1949 Joan was united in marriage to Carroll “Buzz” Wengert in Boone County. They celebrated 39 years of marriage prior to his passing, farming in Colo, Iowa. She was a loving and dedicated wife and mother. She was employed at R.H. Donnelly’s in Nevada for several years. She was an active member involved with Ladies Aide and LWML of St. John’s Lutheran Church in State Center until their closing. She also was involved with several neighborhood card clubs. With her husband, they most enjoyed their monthly “500” card club and continued several years after his death. In her free time, Joan loved cooking and entertaining friends and family, reading and spending time with her grandchildren. The highlights of her later years was time spent with great grandchildren and calling Bingo at Edencrest Assisted Living.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three daughters: Betty “BJ” Butler, Denise (Rick) Buckholdt and Hazel (Craig) Neil; grandchildren: Jason (Arlene) Butler, Adam Meyer, Eric, Zach and Tiffany Neil and Seth Wengert ; five great-grandchildren and her brother Lsyle MacDonald and her sister-in-law, Thelma Haley.

Joan is preceded in death by her beloved husband Buzz, her parents Archie and Hazel and her paternal grandparents who raised her, William and Agnes.

Per the wishes of Joan and her family, cremation rites have been accorded under the care of Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. There are no formal services scheduled. A graveside service will be held at a later date to be announced. For online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.