Joan Frances Mildenberger Lefler

Joan Frances Mildenberger Lefler, 85, of Missoula, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, August 19. She died, at Port Angeles Hospital of natural causes.
Joan was born June 19, 1930 to George and Thelma Mildenberger in Mitchell, SD.
As a young girl Joan lived in Mitchell, SD with her parents and at the age of 13 Joan went to live with her Aunt Daisy. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1948. Soon after graduation Joan met William Lefler at Ruskin Park at the roller skating rink in Mitchell, SD. and married shortly after on February 25, 1950. In the first year of their marriage they moved to Billings, Montana and eventually to Missoula to raise their family. Joan spent the early years of her marriage raising her family; the passion of her life was to please God, serve her spouse and to lead her children to have a solid foundation in God. William and Joan later divorced and this life change required her to work to support her family, she began a career in retail at Montgomery Wards and The Clothes Closet in Missoula. She eventually went to work as a Finance Clerk for over 20 year until she retired in 1999.

Joan was a devout Catholic and an active member of her Church. She belonged to the Secular Franciscans Daughters of Isabella. She served on the boards of the Poverello Center and Council Grove. A loving wife, mother and grandmother she took great loving care of her family, friends and her church.

She was preceded in death by; an infant child: John Lefler, Mother: Thelma Mildenberger, Father: George Mildenberger, Sister: Judy Lorrine Curtis, and Great-Grandchildren: Triston Lee and Trevor Shepard. She is survived by her siblings, Brother: Robert (Fern) Mildenberger of Sioux Falls, SD, Sister: Sheryl (Bill) Thill of Fort Collins, CO, Sister: Patricia (Al) Dilman of Fort Collins, CO, Sister: Jackie (Keith) Ross of Omaha, NB and all of their children. Son: David (Kim) Lefler of Port Orchard, WA, Son: William "BJ" Lefler of Missoula, MT, Daughter: Sandra "Sandi" (Dick) Shepard of Frenchtown, MT, Daughter: Micki (Russ) Lodge of Sequim, WA, Son: Rob (Toni) Lefler of Belfair, WA. Grandchildren: Bryan, Carri, Casey, Scott, Doug, Jess, Christina, Tracy, Chad, Shanna, Benjamin, Paige and Faustine. Great- Grandchildren: Drew, Ashton, Ally, Darren, Avory, Kennady, Kassedy, Karsen, Joclyn, Triston, Shelby and Lily.

Viewing will be held from 2:00-5:00p.m. Wednesday, August 26, at Garden City Funeral home followed by a Rosary and a Devine Mercy Chaplet on Wednesday, August 26, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church. Services will be held at at St. Francis Xavier Church on Thursday, August 27, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery following the service. Reception to follow at St. Francis Xavier Church. Donations in memory of Joan can be made to the Poverello Center or Council Groves.
Condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com

Read Joan Lefler's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.