Joan Foster Hall

Joan Bonnie Crawford (Joanne) was born 08/11/1931 in Melcher, IA to Ivan and Helen (Breese) Crawford, the youngest of five children. She was raised in the Des Moines area, where her father was a tree surgeon. The family loved fishing and being at the water, although she never learned to swim. They attended Sunshine Open Bible Church. Participating in numerous activities & having a heart for souls, they brought many to hear the message of the saving grace of God, provided through His Son, Jesus Christ. It was at Sunshine she met Robert (Gene, RG) Foster. She graduated early from East High and attended Open Bible College in Des Moines for one year. After Gene’s graduation from Open Bible College, they were married in July, 1950. Having dated on bicycles, they bought their first automobile, to enjoy their honeymoon. Joan and Gene spent 38 years in ministry together, until his untimely, sudden, death. They helped establish a church in Macon, Georgia with her sister Deloris and brother-in-law Lyle Anderson. Additional ministry with Open Bible Churches, included a brief time as an assistant in Arizona, 10 years Dixon & Woosung, IL, 16 years Boone, IA and 10 years West Des Moines, IA. The churches in Illinois, Boone and West Des Moines, experienced significant growth in number and discipleship under their ministry. Joan & Gene were faithful in visitation to those in the hospital, those laid up at home, visitors and members who had not been able to attend services. She loved garage sales, having her own biannual sales, throughout her life. These were more social events than sales events.

Their marriage was blessed with, and survived by, daughters Suzanne (Brian) Welch of Fort Dodge, Deanne (Tony) Ellis of Des Moines, and son Stephen Foster (Janelle) of Van Meter.

After Gene’s death, Verlin Hall assisted with Joan’s move to Fort Dodge. They became inseparable. It appeared to take two, to drive his car. In September, 1990 she became a “Farm Wife,” adding a woman’s touch to Verlin’s life & old farm house. She learned the importance of a clean bean field, first hand. They continued in lay ministry together through church and other activities, & attended New Covenant Christian Church. After 19 years she was widowed a second time. She moved to Urbandale and became involved with New Hope Assembly of God. She re-established a relationship with West Des Moines Open Bible Church with Pastors Dan and Danielle Altman, whom she met as children in Fort Dodge. For the last year, with declining health, loving, personalized care has been provided by Deanne & Tony in their home. This has included redecorating their home with her piano, her pictures and her furniture. The piano was a part of her ministry from her high school days. She continued to serenade Deanne, Tony and those who visited.

Throughout her life, Joan was a people person. She was quick to see, and try to find ways, to help meet the needs of people. She was especially concerned with spiritual needs. Lovingly directing people to their need of a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Hours were spent, daily, in intercession and prayer, continuing into her last days. She passed to her heavenly home January 22, 2018 at age 86 years, 5 months, 11 days from complications of pneumonia.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother Robert Crawford, sisters Alberta (John) Hartley and Deloris (Christian) Brandt, brother-in-law Bill Blaine, Verlin’s sister Ardis (Lyle) Fitzgerald and Verlin’s son Garry Hall.

She is survived by sister Betty (Bill) Blaine of Ankeny, brother-in-law David (Charlene) Foster, Suzanne and Brian’s children; 1. Shannon (Terry) Stein and Terry’s children Austin, Darian and Michaela, 2. Andrea (John) McLauchlan and great-grandchildren “JD” & Ruthanne and 3. Jana Leigh (Bradley) Hook & great-granddaughter Arya; Deanne’s children 1. Mandy (Justin) Switzer, 2. Truman Groves and 3. Bekah Groves and Tony’s children 1. Ericka (Corey) Major and great-granddaughter Samantha 2. Jillian (Scott) Wolfhagen and great-granddaughter Vivian; and 3. Amber Ellis; Stephen and Janelle’s children 1. Stacey Foster and 2. Grant Foster; son-in-law Jon Groves, many nieces, nephews and their families; and friends that only God knows the numbers.

Visitation with family, will be at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, Friday, January 26, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Service Saturday, January 27, 2:00 p.m., at New Hope Assembly of God, Urbandale, Iowa. Burial at Highland Memory Gardens, Des Moines on Monday, January 29, 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made to West Des Moines Open Bible Church, in her memory, directed towards pastoral cares.

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