Joan Sipma, 70, of Escalon died peacefully at her home on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 after a long battle with breast cancer.
Born to John and Oretta Dykstra on Nov. 21, 1941, she attended school mostly in Southern California, and obtained her BS in Nursing at St. Thomas School of Nursing in Nashville, TN. Immediately upon completion, 'Joni' joined the Peace Corps and her life of adventure began. She served from 1962 to 1965 in East Pakistan where she taught nursing and met the love of her life, Arthur Sipma, who was also a Peace Corps volunteer. They married in 1965 and settled in Escalon. She continued her nursing career in between raising her family of four.
She was a world traveler, and was fortunate enough to have visited all of the continents. She was an avid reader and was never without a book nearby. She had many memberships in several different organizations, and was most fond of her years in Jr. Women, Marina West Yacht Club, and the Golden Bear Winnebagos. Mrs. Sipma also spent many years as the nurse at Camp Jack Hazard, a high sierra adventure resident camp outside Dardanelle, CA. In her most recent years, she was fortunate enough to escape the valley winters to live in her favorite place, Outdoor Resorts Palm Springs. She cherished the special moments she got to spend with her friends and family there.
She will be remembered for her patriotism of the United States and love of all things Red, White and Blue. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend.
Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Arthur Sipma of Escalon; her children, Gretchen Sipma-Landon and husband Stuart Landon of Escalon, Heidi Altamirano and husband Brady of Escalon, Anneke Cerri and husband Jefferson of Felton, DE, and Arjen Sipma of Escalon; grandchildren Bryon Landon, wife Amber and their son Dylan of Greenwood, LA, Janell Landon of Crescent City, CA, Grant and Molly Joan Landon of Escalon, Lala and Emme Altamirano, of Escalon, Adam and Jonah Lou Cerri of Felton, DE, and Izaac Sipma of Escalon; her sisters Janet Burger and husband George of Dunnigan, CA, and Margaretha Gatzka of Carson City, NV.
Deegan Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Private services. Memorial donations may be made to "The Jack and Buena Foundation, Camp Jack Hazard" at P.O. Box 192491, San Francisco, CA 94119.
The Sipma family respectfully requests that flowers not be sent. For condolences to the family, visit Joan's online guestbook at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com (Search Obituaries).
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
July 11, 2012
Born to John and Oretta Dykstra on Nov. 21, 1941, she attended school mostly in Southern California, and obtained her BS in Nursing at St. Thomas School of Nursing in Nashville, TN. Immediately upon completion, 'Joni' joined the Peace Corps and her life of adventure began. She served from 1962 to 1965 in East Pakistan where she taught nursing and met the love of her life, Arthur Sipma, who was also a Peace Corps volunteer. They married in 1965 and settled in Escalon. She continued her nursing career in between raising her family of four.
She was a world traveler, and was fortunate enough to have visited all of the continents. She was an avid reader and was never without a book nearby. She had many memberships in several different organizations, and was most fond of her years in Jr. Women, Marina West Yacht Club, and the Golden Bear Winnebagos. Mrs. Sipma also spent many years as the nurse at Camp Jack Hazard, a high sierra adventure resident camp outside Dardanelle, CA. In her most recent years, she was fortunate enough to escape the valley winters to live in her favorite place, Outdoor Resorts Palm Springs. She cherished the special moments she got to spend with her friends and family there.
She will be remembered for her patriotism of the United States and love of all things Red, White and Blue. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and friend.
Survivors include her loving husband of 48 years, Arthur Sipma of Escalon; her children, Gretchen Sipma-Landon and husband Stuart Landon of Escalon, Heidi Altamirano and husband Brady of Escalon, Anneke Cerri and husband Jefferson of Felton, DE, and Arjen Sipma of Escalon; grandchildren Bryon Landon, wife Amber and their son Dylan of Greenwood, LA, Janell Landon of Crescent City, CA, Grant and Molly Joan Landon of Escalon, Lala and Emme Altamirano, of Escalon, Adam and Jonah Lou Cerri of Felton, DE, and Izaac Sipma of Escalon; her sisters Janet Burger and husband George of Dunnigan, CA, and Margaretha Gatzka of Carson City, NV.
Deegan Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Private services. Memorial donations may be made to "The Jack and Buena Foundation, Camp Jack Hazard" at P.O. Box 192491, San Francisco, CA 94119.
The Sipma family respectfully requests that flowers not be sent. For condolences to the family, visit Joan's online guestbook at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com (Search Obituaries).
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
July 11, 2012
