Joan Harbaugh passed away surrounded by her children on April 24, 2022, at the age of 89. No public services are planned. Memorials in her name may be given to the family, or left at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson.
Joan Marie Harbaugh was born on August 22, 1932, in Greene County, the daughter of Harry Price and Edith (Mischke) Price. Joan grew up with her sister Kathleen on their family farm near Farlin. As a child, she attended a small country school and then graduated from Jefferson High School in 1950.
On December 28, 1957, Joan was united in marriage to Jack Harbaugh at the First Baptist Church of Jefferson. After moving to Nebraska for a year, they returned to Jefferson to make their home. They were blessed with three children, Michael Paul, Chris Merlin, and Carrie Jo.
Joan spent several years working for the Greene County treasurer’s office. In 1968, when Jack opened his own car business, Jack’s Auto Reconditioning Service and Sales, she began working alongside him cleaning cars, doing the title work, and taking care of all the bookkeeping for the business. To some, she was known for her very meticulous bookkeeping skills and was considered by the customers to be the “best car interior cleaner around”.
She had many roles and responsibilities in her life, but the most important to her was loving and taking care of her family. She loved collecting recipe books and was an amazing baker. Her kids’ birthdays always had a special cake made by Mom and as adults, they could always expect their favorite pie. Extended family and friends also enjoyed her culinary treats whether it be homemade chicken and noodles or her famous fudge pies.
In her later years, Joan and Jack continued to spend most of their time together. They enjoyed spoiling their grandchildren, weekend trips to Des Moines, and visiting a variety of casinos. Luck was with her as Joan would often return home with a smile on her face showing off her latest jackpot win. Joan also enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life, including cooking, collecting, needlework, knitting/crocheting, scrapbooking, and card making. She made many holidays and birthdays special for family and friends with her handmade cards and gifts.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband Jack, and her parents,Harry and Edith Price,
She is survived by her children Michael (Tawnya) Harbaugh, Chris (Jeri) Harbaugh, and Carrie (Gary) Carstensen, all of Jefferson; grandchildren Jax, Jayden, Eli, Brady, and Maddox Carstensen, Ashleigh (Dan) Woodford of Elkhart, Nicholas Dinkel of Minneapolis, Kasey (Corey) Jacobs and son Owen, of Auburn, Matt (Alissa) Rickers and daughter Joanna of Madrid, Cassandra (Eric) Hickman of Waukee, and Allison (Zackary) McEntire of Ankeny; sister, Kathleen Wittfoth, of Waterloo, sisters-in-law Linda Cormaney of Webster City and Janice Harbaugh of Jefferson; brother-in-law Gary Harbaugh of Jefferson; and many nieces and nephews.
