Joan Carole Roozenboom's Obituary
Joan Carole Roozenboom
October 3, 1940 – June 13, 2023
Joan Roozenboom, 82, was born October 3, 1940, in Portland, Oregon. She passed away on June 13, 2023, in Oregon City, Oregon. Her parents were John and Ellen Rufener. Her dad was a lumberjack, and her mom was a homemaker. Some fond memories of her childhood include interacting with livestock on her grandparent’s farm and witnessing the birth of lambs in the spring. She also enjoyed going clamming at the coast with her folks and kin. Her favorite seaside spot was Long Beach, Washington.
Joan married Leo Roozenboom on July 21, 1962, and honeymooned at the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington. They raised four children together. Joan was an avid bowler when the kids were young, belonging to two bowling leagues. Over the years, she also held office jobs at White Stag in Portland, Oregon and at Dennis Moving and Storage in Tigard, Oregon.
Family time and traveling were bright spots in her life. Early on, she enjoyed family camping jaunts to Timothy Lake, Detroit Dam, and Lost Lake. In later years, she went on trips to Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, Victoria BC, Coeur d’Alene, and Mt. St. Helens. A couple of highlights that she loved to recall were a gondola ride to the summit at Glacier National Park, and a flight over the Grand Canyon on a scenic airplane tour.
Joan’s days of adventure waned after she had a stroke in 2004. She had to learn how to eat, speak, and walk again. It was a very difficult time, but she was determined to regain her mobility. She persevered and was soon shopping at craft shows and celebrating birthdays at local casinos.
Joan found much joy in being a grandmother to Sarah (Chase), Matthew, Caleb, and Alex. Another light in her life were her pets; a Pomeranian named Peanut, four cats named Pixie, Piper, Penny, and Poppy, and two chickens named Lucy & Ethel. She loved spoiling her animals and even trained Peanut to alert people in different rooms when she needed their assistance.
Joan was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leo (2021) and parents John Rufener (1987) and Ellen Rufener (1995). Grateful for having shared her life are four blessed children: Timothy Roozenboom (Barbara) of Oregon City, Todd Roozenboom (Melveen) of Oregon City, Tracey Roozenboom of Oregon City, and Shelly Gadberry (Warren) of Oregon City.
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