Joan Catherine Burwell

Joan Burwell was born July 31, 1933 to Joseph and Cecile (nee LaGrandeur) Wahman in Pincher Creek, Alberta Canada. She joined a brother Graham Neville. The family moved to Oldenburg, Indiana before Joan was a year old. Joan received her education at the Holy Family Grade School and graduated high school from the Immaculate Conception Academy in Oldenburg, Indiana.

After graduation Joan spent a year in the US Air Force in communications. She married Everett Burwell and they started their family in Shelbyville Indiana. Five children blessed this marriage: Jo-Michelle, Joni Kay, Jackie Lynn, Janet June, and Michael William.

In 1967 Joan and Everett fell in love with Montana when traveling to Alberta to visit the LaGrandeur family. In 1968 the family moved to Three Forks, Montana where Everett was employed with Ideal Cement. During this time, Joan worked at Anderson's Store, the clinic for Dr. Edward Bertagnoli, was instrumental in organizing the Three Forks area Historical Society, the Town Meeting and was both unit President and later the District President of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was an active member of the Holy Family Parish serving as a Lay Minister and was Director of the Religious Education Program for many years.

Years after her husband's death, Joan started spending part of each year on Bainbridge Island, WA to be near three of her daughters and grandchildren in the area. She kept busy knitting, quilting, volunteering, participating at the local Senior Center and spending time with her family. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her love of life and positive attitude showed in each adventure she undertook.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Cecile Wahman, her brother Graham Wahman, her son Michael Burwell and her husband, Everett Burwell, sons-in-law George Chen, Jerry (Red) Tange, and Bruce Woolever. She is survived by her children; Jo-Michelle Tange, Joni Kay Burwell (Brian), Jackie Lynn Jensen (Randy), Janet June Woolever, grandchildren; Andrew Michael Chen, Arista Burwell Chen, Joanna J Jaeger, Stephanie Rae Tappe (Chris), Russell Dean Jensen (Talia), Grayson James Woolever, Eleanor Frances Woolever and great grandchildren; Lacy O'Dell, Chloe O'Dell, Emma O'Dell and Oliver Jensen.

Vigil will be Friday, June 6 th at 5:00pm at K & L Mortuary. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be at Holy Family Parish on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 9:00am, Graveside internment at Fairview Cemetery followed by a luncheon at Holy Family Parish. In lieu of flowers, donations to the TF Historical Society and the TF Trails would be appreciated.