Joan Carol Gardell

Joan was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 16, 1934. She was the only child of Alvin and Betty Jacobs. During her early years she moved with her family to Minnesota and Nebraska. She graduated from Niles High School in Chicago in 1951. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1955, where she was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, with a BS in Home Economics. After earning her degree she worked as a dietician at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. She also became engaged to Dick Gardell whom she had met while in college. Joan and Dick were married on February 9, 1957. Dick spent his career as a geologist for Shell Oil Company and they started out their lives together in Sweetwater, Texas. She moved with Dick to many Shell locations including Billings, Montana, Abilene, Texas, Midland, Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, Calgary, Canada, and finally Houston, Texas.

Her lifelong priorities were to be a good Christian, wife, and mother. Joan and Dick spent 58 years of marriage prior to his death in 2015. They have 3 children, Leslie, Randy and Kristin and subsequently 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In addition to her devotion to her church and family, Joan and Dick loved to travel and did so for many years. Her many years of volunteer work at the West Houston Assistance Ministries, her association with the Houston Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association, and her genealogy hobby were important to her. She was an avid Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros fan; she and Dick spent many years with their children and grandchildren creating memories at the Astros spring training facility in Florida. She enjoyed spending family time at their 2nd home on the Colorado River near Burnet, Texas. In 2012, Dick & Joan moved to the Buckingham, a retirement community in Houston, where they made many new friends.

Joan is survived by her children and their families; Leslie and Freddy Bradshaw of Houston; Dr. Randy and Barbara Gardell of Waco; Kristin and Bruce Palfreyman of Houston; Grandchildren, Kyle and wife Krystal Bradshaw, Lindsey and husband Stewart Massie, Travis and wife Brittany Bradshaw; Reese, Lacey, Brenna, and Riley Gardell; and Kasey, Anna, and Jacob Palfreyman, and great granddaughters Lucy Bradshaw and Hayden Massie.

Friends are invited to celebrate her life at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2400 Wilcrest, Houston, Texas 77042. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s name may be sent to Christ the Servant Lutheran Church or a charity of your personal choice.