Joan Rise Nestvogel

Joan’s parents met in Brooklyn New York after immigrating from Europe in the early 1920’s. They had two daughters. Irene and Joan. Joan was the second daughter, born on June 16th, 1934. Her father Johannes Larsen (Larvick, Norway) and Mother, Agnes Andersson Larsen (Boden, Sweden), instilled in her the importance of family and the value of hard work. The family moved to Freeport, New York and, as a young girl, she loved going to the beach and swimming in the ocean. Joan became an accomplished swimmer which led to her performing in a synchronized swimming troupe at the Jones Beach Amphitheater as a teenager.

After graduating from Freeport High School in Freeport, NY in 1952, she used her natural organizational skills and hard work ethic, working as an executive secretary for Geyer Advertising in New York City. It was the heyday of New York Advertising in Manhattan and Joan enjoyed the work. Joan fell in love and married Walter Nestvogel in 1958 and they started building their life and family together.

In 1962, Joan and Walter moved to Somerset, NJ to raise their three children: Walter “Max”, Heidi, and John “Lars”. Joan embraced her new job as what would have been called a ‘house-wife’ back in the 1960’s but Joan preferred the term “domestic engineer” which she found funnier to say and, in Joan’s case, was far more accurate. Joan ran “a tight ship” but the home was full of love and laughter. Joan was always involved with the community and was an active member of Somerset Presbyterian Church. In her spare time, Joan enjoyed golfing with her family and playing Maj Jong with friends.

She was able to share her love of the beach and the ocean with her family when Joan and Walter took their first trip to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore in 1975. The entire family loved the warm water, beautiful beaches and friendly people of Hatteras Island and Joan and Walt decided to go every year. Anyone who knew Joan for more than 15-minutes would learn that the last two weeks of June was “Hatteras” and they were probably invited. Joan was a great cook, and everyone enjoyed eating very well after a full day at the beach. As the family grew older and the children married, Hatteras would sometimes grow to a festival-sized event with all of the friends and extended family. Joan’s annual Hatteras trip continued for more than 45-years and is a family tradition that will continue for generations to come.

Joan was preceded in death by her oldest son Walter “Max” in 2014, which was heart-breaking for her.

Joan is survived by her loving husband of 62-years, Walter Nestvogel of Apex, NC; her daughter Heidi (Nestvogel) Kearnan and husband Greg of Morrisville, NC, her Son John Lars Nestvogel and his wife Robyn of Fort Mill, SC; daughter-in-law Ann Nestvogel of Denver, NC; her sister Irene Hoelzer of Louisville, KY; her seven grandchildren; Debbie (Nestvogel) Crowell and her husband (Webber) of Huntersville, NC; Kevin Nestvogel of Wilmington, NC; Walter Kearnan of Arlington, VA; Kelly Kearnan of Brevard, NC; Paige Kearnan of Arlington, VA; Grier Gough-Hoelzer (Drew) of Rocky Point, NY; Britton Gough of Rock Hill, SC and three greatgrandchildren; Eliza Hoelzer, Mary Hoelzer, Luke Hoelzer of Rocky Point, NY.

Joan always said goodbye to family and friends with a hug, a kiss and the Norwegian expression: “ta det med ro” which, translates in English to “take it easy”. Joan’s passing leaves a large hole in the hearts of her family and friends. Rest in Peace Joan, Mom, Nana, Aunt Joan, dear friend- We Love You…Ta Det Med Ro.

Per Joan’s wishes there will be no formal funeral services. Her family will have a celebration of life gathering in Hatteras. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Joan’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at www.alzfdn.org.