Martha "Joan" Southard

Martha Joan Southard, 90, passed away on January 18, 2024 at Kavanaugh House where she had only been for a few hours. Joan was born on October 10,1933 in the home of her maternal grandparents 5 miles southeast of Adel, Iowa, to Ada Darlene (Brown) Wright and Gilbert Edwin Wright. It was on that farm she was raised along with her siblings, Ed Wright, Larry Wright, and twin sisters Sandra Sargent and Sharon Shufelt.

Joan graduated from Adel High School in 1950.  In 1951 she was united in marriage to Edward Cooper. To this union three children were born.  Vickie Cooper, (Kirksville, Mo), Stephen Cooper (Des Moines, Ia.), and Jeffrey Cooper (Adel, Ia.). In 1969 Joan married Wayne Southard who preceded her in death.

Joan was a member of the New Hope Church of Adel.  She loved horses.  Early in their life together Ed and Joan rode in horse shows.  One desire she had was to “ride again”.  Thanks to Michelle Jenkins at New Hope Church and Dean and Peggy Scott she thoroughly enjoyed her time on a horse once more.

Joan loved and supported her family.  She found great joy in her children, grand-child, and great grand-children.

Joan retired from the Brenton Bank in Adel in 2001.  She and her husband Charles Walston enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Alaska, Branson, and many other places.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Ed Wright, a sister Sharon Shufelt, a sister-in-law Donna Wright, and two nephews, Scott Wright and Jason Shufelt.

Joan is survived by her children, a grand-daughter Melissa Dohlman (Matt), four great grandchildren;  Eliana Dohlman, Hayden Dohlman, Davis Dohlman and Tate Dohlman, her sister; Sandra Sargent(Roy), and  brother; Larry Wright. Also surviving are nieces; Shelly Bailey (Ken), Darcy Wright, Janice Silliman-Bowers, Debbie Holiday(Randy), Sandra Holiday ,Beverly Horn(Richard), Betty Hendrickson, Barb Tunell(Mark), Shirley Lents(Roger), Sharon Dooley, and Paula Griffith(Roger), nephews; Dan Adamson (Terri), John Scott (Karalee), Jeremiah Shufelt (Jen Jankowski ), and Jim Hendrickson, as well as several great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Monday, January 22, 24 at the New Hope Church, Adel from 10:00 am to 11:00 am with a service at 11:00. Internment will follow at the Otterman Cemetery.  A meal will be provided for everyone at Fiesta Mexican Restaurant in Adel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider sending contributions to New Hope Church, 25712 290th St., Adel, Iowa 50003 or Everystep Hospice, 3000 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, Iowa 50317. Online condolences can be expressed to the family at caldwellparrish.com.