Joann Margaret Wood

In the early morning hours of Friday, December 1st, the angels finally guided Mom to her loved ones on the other side of the veil. And they left her lips with a little smile!

Joann Margaret Weitz was born in Endicott, Wash., on June 27th, 1937, to Reuben and Clara (Schierman) Weitz. She was preceded in birth by her brother Gordon and sister Arlene. She grew up on her family's farms in the Endicott and Colfax areas.

In school, Joann was active in sports and cheer squads, but also very competitive academically. She was a goal setter and a go-getter all her life, and it paid off when she graduated from Colfax High Class of 1955 with Salutatorian Honors.

After high school she did some secretarial work and took vocational training for PNW Bell, working for them for a time and later moving on to Grange Insurance as a secretary and later training and becoming an adjuster. She was an adjuster for a good many years, till Grange started downsizing it's satellite offices, and it was going to be Spokane or Seattle. With an already established trucking business being run by her other half, Joann would choose to stay here and sell insurance for AIA for several years locally. She would round out her career by driving school bus for a short period for Colfax School District.

Joann married Larry Vern Wood in Colfax, on June 30th, 1957. They would later welcome two sons, Clayton on November 12th, 1959, and Blake on December 19th, 1962. They would later lose Blake to a motorcycle accident in October of 1978.

My parents had a very special relationship, a young lover's affair that lasted 63 years, till his passing in August of 2020. In all that time, she was the glue that kept her family anchored. And, she was a patient, but firm teacher to two wild boys. Ah, throw the Old Man in. He got lessons, too! Mom followed her guys into whatever they were building or racing, at the time, and it seemed like we were doing one or the other for years on end. But, she loved every minute of it! She didn't care if she was cheering at races one weekend, and camping /Jeepin the next, it was ALL GOOD. She was the Lady Boss, and we knew it.

Joann was a member of the Lutheran Church all her life, and passed in no fear, knowing she would be in His hands.

Joann was also a member in good standing of P.E.O. for, by my account, at least 41 years. She attended meetings when her health allowed later in life, but she loved her Sisterhood. Per her P.E.O. Will, she wishes any memorials go towards chapter scholarship funds.

The family has had her cremated, and are planning a graveside service next spring, possibly May. Look to social media for an announcement.

Corbeill Funeral Home, Colfax, is attending to the family's needs. Online @ Corbeillfuneralhomes.com