Joan (Damer) Schneider

SCHNEIDER

It is with profound sadness, that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, volunteer, world class tease and hockey super-fan Joan Schneider (Damer).  Joan was predeceased by her mother Peggy in 2007 and father Gus in 1992. Joan was born on November 29, 1950 and raised in Hines Creek, AB on the family farm west of town, the youngest of four children.  It was during high school that she developed a love for sports, notably basketball, but it was also where she acquired her hatred of snakes. Joan married Jim on August 29, 1969 in Fairview, AB. They were married for 47 years.They remained in Fairview until a job opportunity took them to High Level in 1972. Their only son Dean was born in 1975 and in 1976 the family moved to Three Hills, AB. During their time in Three Hills she joined the Kinettes and worked for a doctor there.

In 1978 the family found a great opportunity to move closer to home and they settled in Grimshaw, Ab which would remain home until 2015. Joan worked in a doctors’ office in Peace River for several years before going to work at Cargill in Grimshaw. Joan worked for Cargill for 13 years where she had plenty of opportunity to tease, prank and harass most of the farmers in the Peace Region.  She formed many very close friends in Grimshaw having lunch dates with Katherine and Linda weekdays for nearly 20 years, making Floyd sing in front of the Sammy’s lunch crowd or teasing Greg about how clean the floors were at Tags.

Joan was a well-known Arena Lady, having volunteered at minor hockey games in the kitchen or during Husky games for 14 years. She was also widely known for her loud cheering at any level of Grimshaw hockey and for keeping referees honest for over 30 years.

Joan decided to leave work at age 50 and pursued one of her true passions in life as an advocate for the RCMP’s Victim Services unit in Grimshaw. She was a cornerstone of the detachment, allegedly baking cookies for her occasional heavy foot, introducing new members to the community, but most importantly supporting countless families during their most difficult times.

After a lifetime in the Peace Country, Jim retired from Northern Sunrise County and together with Joan decided to move closer to their grandkids and extended family and settled in Rimbey, Ab. It was only a few short months before most of the town knew her and Jim and they developed incredible friendships in just a few short years.

On Wednesday, March 22, Joan lost her short and very private battle with cancer. She will be sorely missed by her family, friends and all of the many people whose lives she has touched.

A Celebration of Joan’s Life will be held from the Rimbey United Church in Rimbey, Alberta on Thursday March 30, 2017 at 2:00 PM with Reverend Deborah Laing officiating.

If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to your local Victim Services Unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in Rimbey at P.O. Box 919 Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0.

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