Joan M. Tuft, 93, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Fairwinds-Sand Creek Retirement Community in Idaho Falls, Idao. She was under the care of Hospice of Eastern Idaho.
Joan was born Feb. 3, 1927, in Salina, Utah, to Ralph Walker McAllister and Rhea Leona Christensen McAllister. She grew up in Salina and graduated from North Sevier High School.
On Dec. 14, 1946, she married Neal L. Tuft (son of Hugh N. Tuft and Jesse Gilbert Tuft) in Salina. They homesteaded in the Riverton, Wyoming, area, ranched in Manila, Utah, and reached retirement in Evanston. In July of 2019, they relocated to Idaho Falls.
During WWII, Joan was a war bond queen, sewed parachutes and was a mechanic on bombers. Throughout her life, she was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Because of her love for music, she served as a chorister in the church most of her adult life. She was a waitress, cake decorator, Scout leader and a wonderful cook. More details of her life can be found at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
Joan is survived by her loving husband, Neal; children: Ann (D. Frank Norton) Norton of Valencia, California; Scotty Neal Tuft of Puerta Vallarta, Mexico; Patricia (Michael) Willman of Franklin, Tennessee; and Neville (Annette Mary Peacock) Tuft of Rigby, Idaho; 14 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Walker McAllister; twin brother, June McAllister; and her stepfather, Rhuben Jensen.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Rd., Ammon, Idaho. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Centerfield Cemetery in Utah.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
