Joan Marilyn Sterley

Joan Marilyn Sterley, 90, quietly passed away on Sunday evening, May 7, 2023, in Newport, WA.

She was born on Thursday, May 21, 1931, in Valley City, ND, and lived there until she was four years old.

Geraldine, her mother, and she moved to Wibaux, MT, and lived there until she was 10 years old. On Friday, August 15, 1941, they moved to Coulee Dam, WA, and Ralph Mueller, her stepfather ("Dad"), went to work for the US Bureau of Reclamation.

When she was in the 8th grade, Dad went into the US Army, and they moved to Camp Roberts, CA (north of San Luis Obispo). When she was a sophomore in high school, they moved to Little Rock, AK. After her dad was discharged, they moved back to Coulee Dam, WA.

While a junior in high school, she met Bruce Fred Sterley. On Thursday, August 5, 1948, they were married. They moved to Othello, WA, in May 1959. There they opened a Spudnut Shop and kept it for one year. After selling it, Bruce went to work for a construction company in Pasco, WA. While there, Bruce returned to school and got his high school degree, and completed welding school.

They moved to Seattle, WA, and lived there until Patricia (oldest daughter; deceased) graduated from high school and started college.

Ralph (Dad) died in 1971, and Geraldine (Mom) died in 1974. Both are buried at Spring Canyon Cemetery in Grand Coulee, WA.

Bruce and Joan lived in Spokane, WA, 10 years. Diana (youngest daughter) got married.

Bruce and Joan moved back to Coulee Dam, WA. After Bruce passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2003, She continued to live in Coulee Dam, WA, until her health declined.

She then moved to River Mountain Village Assisted Living in Newport, WA, in March 2016, to be near Diana, who worked at the hospital there. When her health continued to decline, she moved to Guardian Angel Homes in Liberty Lake, WA, for a few years.

Her final years were at River Mountain Village Advanced Care in Newport, WA.

She is survived by Diana Barnard and Marshall Kimes (Kennewick, WA) and their two sons-Jason and Tyler; Carol (younger sister) and Larry Smith (Beaverton, OR); and Vic Piccolo (Pat's husband) and their children - Ted, Joe, Jeff, and Matthew.

Her graveside service will be at 11 AM, on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Spring Canyon Cemetery in Grand Coulee, WA. A noon memorial service will be held afterward at the Banks Lake Bible Church in Electric City, WA, with lunch to follow. The services are open to the public.