Obituary: Joan A. Buckland

As received from the  Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:

Houghton
Anita “Joan” (Johnson) Buckland, 88, passed away early Monday morning, June 29, 2020 at the Canal View Medical Care facility in Hancock, Michigan, surrounded by her loving family.

Joan was born on January 11, 1932 to parents Earl and Lillian (Swanson) Johnson in Escanaba, Michigan, the third of six children growing up in a commercial fisherman’s family. Joan graduated from Escanaba High School in 1950, and was very active in her youth. Joan, an accomplished figure skater, was once crowned as the queen of the local Ice Show. In her adult years, Joan become a secretary for several insurance firms in Escanaba, Lansing, and Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was very proud to be able to continue her education through local community college programs.

Joan married the love of her life, Wendell “Buck” Curtis Buckland in Escanaba on June 4, 1955. Buck proceeded Joan in death on June 3, 2013, one day shy of their 58th wedding anniversary. Their three children include Karin Buckland Van Dyke, Houghton; Jim, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; and Julie (Rodney) Patrick, Woodbury, MN; also surviving are four grandchildren; Andrew (Jillian) Van Dyke, Sarah (Peter) Golus, Kate Buckland, and Emma Barnes; and her first great grandchild, Lena Golus. Survivors include her sisters Lois Hultquist, Kingsford, and Carol (Jerry) Ebbesen, Gladstone; brothers, Dave (Roberta) Johnson, Gladstone; and Don (Ruth) Johnson, Escanaba.

Proceeding Joan in death were her parents, infant granddaughter Hannah Van Dyke, and brother and sister-in-law Lorn (Magee) Johnson. Surviving are several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Together Joan and Buck led a very full and faith-filled life, as active members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Portage, Michigan. Joan participated in the church’s quilt and altar guilds, exercise program, and Ruth Circle. Throughout their lives together, family and friends were so very important, with Sunday breakfasts after church, travels in NW Michigan with their beloved “Petoskey Gems” group, and spending time visiting family and friends near and far. Most of all, Joan was a great mom, grandma, and loyal friend to all.

Joan was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977, but continued to work through her life’s difficulties with strength and grace. The loss of Buck took a big toll on Joan and her health, and she moved back to the Upper Peninsula to be near her daughter Karin upon his death. Joan resided at The Bluff’s Senior Living Community in Houghton for two years before moving to the Canal View Skilled Nursing Facility in Hancock. Sincere thanks and appreciation go out to all of Joan’s caretakers and medical providers for their loving care and friendship.

A memorial service is planned for a later date in Escanaba, Michigan, with arrangements handled by the Memorial Chapel and Plowe Funeral Home in Hancock, and the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Burial will be the Gardens of Rest Cemetery in Escanaba.

To view Joan’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.