Joanne M. Eager's Obituary
Joanne Miriam Eager
Joanne Eager passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 20th, 2013 at the age of 82.
She was born Joanne Miriam Phillips to Floyd and Beulah Phillips in Sioux City, Iowa on February 19th, 1931. The family moved to Yelm, Washington while she was still young and she graduated from Yelm High School in 1949.
After high school, Joanne found work with the State of Washington in Olympia. In 1955 she met David Eager, and they married in Yelm on April 7th, 1956. They settled in Tacoma, Washington and had their first child, David Junior. Upon moving a few miles south to Parkland, Washington, they had two daughters, Debra Jayne and Wendy Joan, and then two more sons, Kevin Sean and Mark Edward.
Joanne had a deep Christian faith and became very involved in All Saints Episcopal Church in Tacoma, eventually running a large and successful Sunday school program there in the 1970’s. She was later a member of Parkland First Methodist, and in retired life she joined Tacoma Christian Reformed Community Church, both of which she continued to teach Sunday school in.
In 1977 she became a working mother and started a 22 year career at Pacific Lutheran University, helping put her three youngest children through school there. She spent those years as a valued administrative assistant in the Communication and Theatre Department, making many friends and enjoying her role in University life, retiring in 1999.
Her children were the center of her life. In raising five children she endured a loud crowded house, appliances cluttering the home, dozens of different pets, and long road trips with leaky tents. Yet her home was a holiday wonderland of homemade decorations and sparkling lights, making childhood memories for all that are still held dear. These traditions were passed on to eight grandchildren, whom she treasured more than anything.
Joanne always wanted to be remembered as a good Christian and a good mother, and she was both in so many ways. Her family wishes to convey their deepest love and affection for their mother.
Additionally, her family wish to extend their deepest thanks to the staff at Heartwood Extended Health Care in Tacoma for their compassionate and professional care.
Survivors include children David Eager Jr., Debie Selfridge (Charlie), Wendy Koessler (Gary), Kevin Eager (Kristi) and Mark Eager (Kristi); grandchildren Gretchen Knudsen (Ben), Kelly Bjork, Kinsey Eager, Kellen Eager, Cody Eager, Hadley Eager, Evan Koessler, Bayley Koessler; great-grandchild Elke Knudsen; siblings Penny Baier (Fred), Mitzi Haddon (Dennis), and Robin Phillips. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Wellesley Eager.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 1, at noon at the Tacoma Christian Reformed Community Church, 2417 East 72nd Street, Tacoma, Washington.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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