Joan Mills

It is with a mix of sorrow and celebration that we share the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Joan Delores (Ulferts) Mills, known affectionately as Joanie, on February 22, 2025. Born in Clara City, MN on May 7, 1928, Joan lived an incredibly fulfilling life for 96 years, marked by a passion for teaching, a commitment to her faith, and a dedication to her family and friends.

Joan's love for education was deeply ingrained in her from childhood. She was the tenth of eleven children, all of whom were sent to college by their parents. This early exposure to education led Joan to obtain her teaching certificate at Central College in Pella. After a year of teaching in a one-room country schoolhouse in eastern Iowa, and then in Redfield, Iowa, Joan met the love of her life, Locke Mills. They married and settled in Avon Lake in 1954, where she made lifelong friends. In 1959, they moved to their cherished home in Carlisle, IA, where Joan taught for 37 years at the former Granger Elementary. Her dedication to teaching was brought to light during her retirement celebration when it was revealed that Joan was the only teacher in Des Moines public school to have taught her entire career at the same school.

Joan had a radiant personality that shone through in her love for reading, decorating for Valentine’s Day, playing the piano, and spending time with her friends and family. She was always ready for a game of bridge or a phone call with her lifelong friends. Her relationship with her children, Valerie and Mark, was a source of immense pride for her, particularly as they both went on to obtain post-graduate degrees. Even in her later years, Joan never lost her love for the written word or her sense of humor.

Joan's faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was an active member of the Carlisle Christian Church, where she taught Sunday school, led an evening Bible study, and prepared lessons with devotions. Joan often humbly claimed she received more from these lessons than her students, but those who knew her would disagree. A verse from Proverbs 31:26 perfectly encapsulates Joan's life: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Joan leaves behind her daughter, Valerie Stickel-Diehl, and her son, Mark Locke Mills (Marla) Grandchildren, Todd Anderson, Tracey Boyd (Chris), Tim Mills (Huong), Dr. Jordan Mills (Macy), Dr. Jeff Mills (Natasha), Juliana Mills, Carlos Mills, Mariel Mills, great grandchildren, McKenzie, Zoe (AJ), Colton, Caden, Ben, Luke, Zachary, and Eli. Many Nieces and Nephews. She also leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, education, and an enduring sense of humor. Joan was preceded in death by her husband Locke Mills, her parents, Joseph and Cora Ulferts, her brothers, Raymond Ulferts, Russell Ulferts, Wayne Ulferts, sisters, Clara Hostetler, Fern Wright, Ruth Ulferts, Pearl Martin, Roma Peterson, Hazel Haesemeyer, Leone Olson. Grandson Jose Mills, son in laws, Rick Stickel and Ted Diehl. Carlisle Christian Church family continued to care for her after she no longer could attend, we as a family are grateful.

We invite you to share your memories and photos of Joan on her memorial page. Your stories and pictures will help us all remember the remarkable woman that Joan was and keep her spirit alive in our hearts.