Joan Vanderwaal 10/31/2013

Joan Italia (Shield) Vanderwaal, age 82, of River Falls, WI, died after learning she had cancer on October 31, 2013.  Born August 10, 1931 in Crosby, ND, to parents John and Fanchon Shield.  Her family moved to River Falls while she was a teenager.  She graduated from River Falls High School and attended college to become an RN.  She left college after two years to marry Al Vanderwaal.  She served her community as a mother, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, church volunteer, and garden club president. The family moved to Isle in the early 1960s, where she ran a resort near Isle, MN. She and Al sold the resort and divorced in the early 1980s. Joan obtained a nursing aide certificate and provided in-house care for the elderly until she retired in 1996.  She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Fanchon Shield, uncle Fred and Lorraine (wife) Shield, aunts Helen Shield and Italia Sickle, and her brother, Jack Shield. She is survived by two children: Gail (daughter), Craig (son) and Karen (wife), grandchildren Rebecca and Peter, her brother Tom and Sue (wife) Shield, Carol (sister-in-law) Shield, Lou (former sister-in-law) Vanderwaal, and numerous nieces and nephews.  A memorial service celebrating Joan’s life was held Saturday at the First Congregational Church in River Falls, WI with visitation at 10 AM and the service at 11 AM, followed by lunch.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.