Joan Marlene North

Joan Marlene North, age 90, passed away on November 15th at Avamere Rehabilitation of Clackamas in Gladstone, Oregon.Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Clara Davis, her sister, Carolyn Wilson, her first husband, Leonard Clouse, and her husband, Lauri North. Joan was born May 8, 1934, in Portland, Oregon. She grew up in a farmhouse on Fuller Road where her parents grew garlic, corn, berries, and other produce. She graduated from Milwaukie High School. As a teenager, Joan was a Rainbow Girl, an organization affiliated with the Masonic Lodge.After graduation, Joan married Leonard Clouse and moved to Lakeview, Oregon. Several years later their son Robert (Bob) was born. After a few years, they moved to Spokane, Washington for Leonard’s work. They eventually moved back to Portland where their son Bryan was born. After more than 20 years of marriage, Leonard and Joan were divorced.Joan worked for many years at Precision Castparts Corporation in the Wax Assembly Department. While working there, she met Lauri North whom she eventually married. Joan then gained seven stepchildren and, in time, several grandchildren. Joan and Lauri loved road trips and visiting Lauri’s relatives in Minnesota. They also travelled to Finland to research Lauri’s family history.After retirement from Precision Castparts Corporation, Joan opened her own flower shop, “Joanie’s Bloomers”, out of her home. Joan loved making floral arrangements, and spent many happy years as a florist. Last October when the Hospice nurse asked Joan what her favorite activity was, Joan answered “arranging flowers.” Joan is survived by her sons, Bob Clouse (and wife Linda) and Bryan Clouse; four grandchildren (Elliot Clouse, Emily Knoetzel (and husband Shawn), Christopher Clouse, Rykken Gancher (and husband Dan); six great grandchildren (Reilly Clouse, Valerie Dummitt (and husband Jacob), Broden Knoetzel, Franklynne Knoetzel, Hawthorne Gancher and Reid Gancher; and one great-great granddaughter, Tallahassee Dummitt.Joan loved spending time with her family. She and Lauri helped raise Rykken, and Joan spent many hours driving her to grade school in Rhododendron. Joan enjoyed taking Rykken to ice skating competitions and team practices; taking Elliot, Emily, and Christopher on trips to the beach; and often went with Bob and Linda to Scio, Oregon, to watch Reilly play football and to watch Valerie’s cheerleading, soccer, and basketball games.  In recent years, Joan especially loved visiting with her younger great grandchildren, Hawthorne, Brody, and Frankie. This last August, Joan got to meet her great grandson, Reid, and her great-great granddaughter, Tallahassee. Joan loved the beach, and she enjoyed visiting the casino. She was an active member of the East Portland Eagles where she played Bingo as often as she could. She was an active Lodge member, and she volunteered many hours as a door greeter. Joan was a member of the Oak Hills Presbyterian Church in Milwaukie. She enjoyed making floral arrangements and Advent wreaths for her church family over the years. Joan was a loving mother and grandmother.  She called family members daily to see how they were doing and to tell them she loved them. She called her family on their birthday and sang them Happy Birthday. Joan loved visiting with her cousins and nieces and nephews, and she had many friends from her church, her Lodge, and the community. She had a great sense of humor, a beautiful smile, and an infectious laugh. She will be missed deeply and never forgotten.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a cause Joan supported through her church - the Backpack Buddies program. Checks can be made out to Oak Hills Presbyterian Church, (with a note to designate the donation to “Backpack Buddies”,) at 5101 S.E. Thiessen Road, Milwaukie, OR, 97267. 

A memorial service will be held on January 11th at 2:00 PM at Oak Hills Presbyterian Church

 5101 SE Thiessen Rd. 

Milwaukie OR 97267