Joan Elaine Stevenson went to be with her Lord on April 18, 2023, passing peacefully in her own home at

the age of 90.

January 1, 1933, Joan was born in Alabaster, MI to parents August and Marion (Alling) Goedecke - her

sister Barbara followed a couple years later. The family built a home in Tawas, MI where Joan grew up

and attended school. In 1951, just across the street from her home, she met Dean Stevenson who was

visiting family in between his travels with the military. Though their courtship was one of written

correspondence, Dean would prove to be the love of her life. After they married, Dean was stationed at

Camp Cook Army Base – now Vandenberg Space Force Base. When it was time for Joan to join her Love

in Lompoc, she made the trek west. Joan remembers driving through the mountains and fields thinking

Dean was taking her to the ends of the earth.

Joan spent her life in service of her family, her church, and her community. She worked for many years

as the secretary at Bethany Lutheran Church and later at the Lompoc Penitentiary for the parole board.

Joan stayed busy volunteering her time in countless roles within her church and as a docent at the La

Purisima Mission where she shared her love of history and craft. Joan loved to swim, read, bake, and

crochet.

Joan is survived by three children, Keith, Kevin (Kim) and Debra Bartholomay (Randy), seven

grandchildren and six great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Dean and sister,

Barbara.

Cremation will be followed by inurnment at Lompoc Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on May 13, 2023, at 11:00 AM.