Joan Ann Brumbach

Joan Brumbach was born on January 11, 1934, in Sarles, North Dakota to Bertha and William O’Brien. She grew up with her siblings, Pattie, Mary, Francis, Lucile, and Kathy. She attended Vancouver Washington Middle School and High School. She also attended Catholic school in North Dakota, but always told family that she did not like it because the nuns were mean. Later in life, she moved to the Dalles, Oregon where she met her “railroad man” and future husband, Merritt Brumbach. She became a Southern Pacific Railroad wife and mother and they resided in Arizona, Nevada, California, and Oregon.

Joan was blessed with four children, Rick, Katie, Van, and Lew. Besides the most important job of being a mom to her children, Joan worked in her own right, at Copper Craft as a regional manager and there were 34 women under her supervision. She also worked as a bartender at the Fortune Cookie in Keizer, Oregon and was even a model for Janzen Beach. She volunteered at the hospital in Vancouver. She also worked for the railroad in Bend, Oregon.

The biggest complement that most of her co-workers would say over the years is that Joan was supportive and acted as a counselor and friend to them. She loved outings and lunches with her friends. In her free time, she loved to travel and went to Germany, Florida, Boston, Hawaii, Mexico and considered herself a world traveler. All throughout her life, Joan enjoyed her dogs, especially her beloved Pomeranians.

On April 3, 2022, Joan passed away after many years of great living. If she could be remembered for anything it would be for being the most wonderful mother and friend. Joan was preceded in death by her daughter, Katie; siblings, Patti, Lucile, Mary, and Frank in addition to her husband 20 years ago. She is survived by her children, Rick, Van, and Lew; grandchildren, Amber, Emily, Matt, Amanda; and a sister, Kathy.