Joan Ruth Doremus Blackledge

Joan Ruth Doremus Blackledge was called Home to be with Jesus on the 8th of May, 2023 at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska. Joan was born on June 21, 1938 to Walter and Norma (Sagehorn) Gerkensmeyer in Seward, Nebraska, and was the youngest of three daughters. Joan was baptized on July 10, 1938 and confirmed on April 6, 1952 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Seward. Joan graduated from Seward High School in 1956, and then attended Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. In the years following, she taught in country schools in Seward and Saline counties. Joan married Glen Doremus on July 27, 1958. Together, they moved to Crete where Glen was employed at the Crete News. Glen and Joan raised their two children, Jodi and Paul, in Crete.

In 1962, Joan began a 10 year employment as the manager of the Doane College Bookstore. She then opened Home Service, a home decorating and craft business in Crete. She ran her store for 27 years. Joan enjoyed working with the public and helping anyone, any way she could. She was a Crete Area Medical Center (CAMC) board member from 1990 to 2005 and an active member of the Crete Chamber of Commerce. When she retired, Joan’s grandchildren’s sports and activities became her focus and passion, where she seldom missed an event. A few years after the passing of Joan’s husband Glen, Joan married RC Blackledge of Martell on July 26, 2008. Joan and RC resided in Martell.

Joan loved spending time with her grandchildren and in her later years and was excited to be involved with her growing number of great-grandchildren. She was always happy to “rock a baby” as she said, visit with family and friends on the phone, and attend activities for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joan is survived by her husband RC Blackledge of Martell, children Jodi and Ron of Crete, Paul and Sheri Doremus of rural Crete, grandchildren Daniel and Tracey Connell of Crete, Matthew and Angela Connell of Washington, Shaylen and Colton Keller of Lincoln, Skyler and Darin Effle of Lincoln, Tayler Doremus of Lincoln, Terrah Doremus of Lincoln, and great grandchildren Maximus, Zackery, Avery, Elliot, Barrett, Mason, Kashus, and Jolene. She is also survived by her step-children and numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Norma, her husband Glen, sisters Shirley Perkins and Ardith Ficken, and brothers-in-law Keith Perkins and Norman Ficken.

A visitation with family for Joan will be held Friday, May 12, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home, 6800 South 14th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68512.

The Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Lincoln Memorial Park and Funeral Home with Pastor Peggy McClain officiating. Memorials to Congregational United Church of Christ, 208 N. Harrison Street, Hallam, Nebraska 68368.