M. Joan Tasler

August 27, 1926 - September 7, 2016

Mary Joan Elizabeth Garland Tasler was born August 27, 1926 at home in Jamaica, Iowa. Her parents were Katheryn McCleary Garland and Mike Garland. Joan attended school at Jamaica Consolidated School, graduating in 1944. She attended college at Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She graduated from the Elementary program in 1947. Joan graduated from Drake University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and an English Minor. On September 30, 1950, Joan was united in marriage to Francis William “Bud” Tasler at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jefferson, Iowa. They became the parents of three children: Francis Michael, William Joseph and Regina Jo. Joan’s teaching career began in 1945. In these early years, she taught in Jamaica from 1945 – 1947, in Bayard from 1947 – 1948, and in Jefferson from 1948 – 1951. She left teaching to be with her husband who was in the United States Army. They lived in Blackstone, Virginia. Joan returned to teaching school in Jefferson in 1964. She retired in 1988, having taught 30 ½ years. Joan was a life member of both the National Education Association and the Iowa State Education Association. She was a former member of the Jefferson Scranton Community Education Association. Joan was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and of St. Joseph’s Guild. She was a volunteer for hospice, and served as a volunteer financial counselor. Joan and Bud spent several winters in Fort Myers, Florida where they took part in clogging classes and country line dancing. The also did a lot of ballroom dancing. They enjoyed playing Bridge. Joan enjoyed sports! She took part in the Iowa Games, the Iowa Senior Olympics and the Florida Senior Olympics. She enjoyed the basketball free throw shooting and the Around-the-World shooting (Shootout). She also took part in the bridge games. Joan Tasler passed away September 7, 2016 at the Kavanagh Hospice House in Des Moines, Iowa. She was 90 years of age. Preceding her in death were her parents; her daughter Regina Miller; her sister Connie Finley; her brother Cleo Garland; an infant sister; and a sister-in-law, Rosemary Rechtenback. Survivors include husband, Francis “Bud” Tasler of Jefferson, IA; two sons: Frank (Liz) Tasler of South Bend, IN and Bill (Tammy) Tasler of Queenstown, MD; sister, Rose Thompson of Des Moines, IA; in-laws: Bonnie Martin of Carroll, IA; Jack Tasler of Des Moines, IA; Walter “Shorty” Tasler of Jefferson, IA and Dorothy Davis of Jefferson, IA; other relatives and friends. Memorials are suggested St. Joseph Catholic Church or Congregate Meals. Funeral services for Joan Tasler, 90, of Jefferson, will be 10:30am Monday, September 12, 2016 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jefferson, Iowa. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Jefferson, Iowa. Friends may call at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson after 12 noon Sunday. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 2:00 – 4:00pm Sunday, followed by a Vigil for the Deceased at 4:00pm Sunday.