Joann Carol Rikansrud Veleber
 

Joann Carol Rikansrud Veleber, 66, passed away on November 9, 2012 with her loving husband at her side.

Joann was born in Bremerton, Washington in 1946 to Ernest and Mary Rikansrud. She graduated from Highline High School in 1964, Central Washington University in 1968 and obtained her Masters in Adult Education from Western Washington University in 1985. She began a long teaching career after her graduation from Central Washington that lasted until 2007, when she retired as a Spanish teacher from Lakewood High School in Arlington, Washington.

Joann will be remembered by her family and those who knew her as a strong and positive person who loved and cared for all. She fulfilled every role she played to the utmost, as a dedicated daughter, loving wife, inspiring teacher, joyful and accepting mother and faithful friend.

Throughout her life she brought people together using her sharp wit and wisdom. An intellectual at heart, she had a love of reading and an intense interest in learning. Her retirement years were spent traveling around the world and sharing time with friends and family.

She is survived by her husband of 43 years, John; daughter, Jamie (Aaron) Calhoun; son, Jeremy (Jenny) Veleber; son, Joseph (Susan) Veleber; sisters, Delores Sjostrom and Doris Rainer; and five grandchildren who were the light of her life, Noah, Molly, Samuel, Cole and Meredith; two granddogs; as well as multiple nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at Grace Lutheran Church, 702 G Street, Blaine, WA at 1:00 p.m. with final interment at Acacia Memorial Park, Seattle, WA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Washington, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Box 356460, Seattle, WA 98195.
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