Joan M. Nuxoll, 62, passed away peacefully March 9, 2013, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

She was born May 20, 1950, to Tony and Stella (Wimer) Arnzen in Cottonwood.

She graduated from St. Gertrude's Academy in 1968 and attended the University of Idaho.

She married the love of her life, Ray Nuxoll, Feb. 13, 1971. They spent the first year of their marriage in Germany, where Ray was stationed in the U.S. Army. While in Germany, they made many great friendships, ones that they have maintained over the years.

Joan and Ray made their home in Greencreek after returning from Germany. They had two children, Heath and Justin Nuxoll.

Joan helped out on the family farm, worked at Sonnen Meats, cooked at the Cottonwood Sales Yard and worked at Wells Fargo Bank for over 27 years.

Joan loved to travel and could plan a wonderful vacation filled with many new attractions. She and Ray traveled to Europe to visit friends, made several trips around the Northwest and took numerous scenic drives. When Ray would ask Joan if she wanted to go check the cows with him, she would ask him what he wanted her to do if she went along: "Look pretty and smell good," was his reply - which she did! Many times Ray and Joan would take Joan's dad, Tony, for a Sunday drive around the Prairie.

Joan was an active member of St. Anthony's Parish, the Greencreek Altar Society and the Tri-Parish Finance Committee. She was on the Prairie School District School Board for nine years, served on the St. Anthony's Parish Council and the Cottonwood City Chamber. She had an amazing memory for remembering and running numbers.

Joan loved spending time with her family. Her three grandchildren brought much joy and excitement in the past five years. Joan knew how to have a good time. She always looked forward to her monthly dinners with the Banker Broads. Joan was an avid reader and a wonderful cook.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Tony and Stella Arnzen. She is survived by her beloved husband, Ray, at the family home in Greencreek; sons, Heath Nuxoll of Renton, Wash., and Justin (Elizabeth) Nuxoll of Greencreek; and grandchildren Connor, Brianne and Kolby Nuxoll of Greencreek. She is also survived by brothers Fred and Randy Arnzen of Ferdinand and Jim (Berti) Arnzen of Harrison, Idaho; and sister Eloise Riener of Ferdinand.

The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. today at St. Anthony's Church in Greencreek. The funeral Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony's Church. Burial will follow at the Greencreek Community Cemetery. All are invited to a dinner reception at the Greencreek Community Hall following the burial.

Arrangements are under the care of Uhlorn Funeral Home in Cottonwood.

We will all miss Joan's beautiful smile and cheerful disposition, but her memory will live on in our hearts.