Joan Arnold

She is survived by her five children, of whom she took very loving care: Jeff (Sandy) Arnold of Jackson, Rick (Shelly) Arnold of Holland, Susan (Jeff) Huyck of Grand Rapids, Jane (John) Klapko of Escanaba, and Linda (John) Randle of Rodney. Joan was a loving grandmother to her 13 grandchildren: Kaitlyn Arnold, Collin Arnold, Lauren (Gerrit) Hengeveld, Dana Arnold, Robert Arnold, Faith Huyck, Brianna (Dan) Krauss, Elizabeth (Ben) Post, Allison Huyck, Jessica Klapko, Jacob Klapko, Ben Randle, and Kyle Randle; great-grandchildren: Ivan Hengeveld, Abraham Hengeveld, James Post, Eli Lee, and Kora Krauss. Joan was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 65 years, Richard “Dick” Collinson Arnold, as well as her parents Howard and Irma Wilcox and sister, Constance “Connie” Wilcox May.

Joan was a full-time homemaker and always home taking care of her kids when they returned from school and work. She was a part-time employee for the United States Department of Commerce. She worked on the 1970 Census as a census taker and continued working for them doing housing starts, and sales and completion surveys for nearby counties. She had many hobbies and crafts (a closet full of them)! Joan was a member of The Eastern Star, Portland Michigan Chapter, United First Methodist Church in Big Rapids, the Big Rapids Garden Club, and the Big Rapids Chapter of TOPS Club, where she had many friends and with whom she loved to visit and have lunch. Joan loved to pass on her talent of cooking and baking to children and grandchildren. She hosted an annual "cookie day," when her daughters, daughters-in-law and grandchildren would bake over 1,000 Christmas cookies to share and give away during the holiday season (the men would go hunting with her husband Dick). Joan was well known in her neighborhood for treats she would pass out during the holiday, including her homemade zucchini bread.

Relatives and friends may meet Joan’s family from 3 - 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 in the Chapel at Clark Retirement Home, 1551 Franklin Street, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49506. A Memorial Service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9 in the Chapel at Clark Retirement Home. A fellowship dinner will follow the service at Clark. In memory of Joan and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Joan’s favorite charities: the American Heart Association or the Clark Foundation. Joan’s family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcares.com.

To view the Keepsake Video please click on the link below.

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