Joan L. Ashland

Joan L. Ashland, 95, of Clear Lake passed away peacefully Thursday, August 17, 2023 at Good Samaritan in Forest City.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1001 9th Ave. S., Clear Lake, with Rev. Josh Link, celebrant. 

Inurnment will be held at Clear Lake Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services at the church.

Joan was born in Clear Lake on Jan. 11, 1928, to her parents, Lester and Veronica (Doyle) Bisgrove. Joan went to school in Clear Lake and graduated from Clear Lake High School. She continued her education at UNI earning her teaching certificate. 

She met Donald “Wayne” Ashland in school. Wayne served in the military and after an honorable discharge he came home and they were married July 1, 1950 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Clear Lake. They had three children, Gregory, Debra and Michael. Wayne farmed the family farm near Thornton, where Joan was his backbone raising the children and assisting where ever needed. She also worked as a teacher in several north Iowa schools.

Joan and Wayne were leaders in the Clear Lake chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society and for many years helped host the Clear Lake Wooden Boat Show in the summer. Joan’s other hobbies included Arabian Horses, flowers and birds. She was a member of St. Patricks Catholic Church.

Joan is survived by her two sons, Gregory Ashland, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Michael Ashland, Forest City; grandchildren, Jennifer Dannen and Tricia Casey; sister, Alan (Susan) Bisgrove; sister-in-law, John “Butch” (Barbara) Ashland Jr. 

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Wayne Ashland (June 12, 2020); her parents; daughter, Debra Dannen; and sister, Donna Railsback.

Memorials may be given to the National Alzheimer’s Association, https://www.alz.org/ in Wayne and Joan’s memory.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.