Joan Allsup

On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, Joan Leslie (Wing) Allsup, age 70, of Mitchellville, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. A longtime resident of Mitchellville, Joan was born April 12, 1952, in Des Moines, Iowa. She grew up in Runnells with her parents Raymond Gale and Leona (Van Zee) Wing.

In 1970, she graduated from Southeast Polk High School. After graduation, she continued her education by attending Cosmetology School. Joan loved working in beauty salons, making people feel good about themselves. Even after her salon years ended, you would find Joan giving haircuts, perms and hair colorings to family and friends in her spare time. Even most recently, it gave her joy to pick up her scissors to give her daughter a new style.

On February 27, 1971, a beautiful winter day, in Prairie City, Joan married the love of her life, Max Allsup. They lived many places including Runnells, Vandalia, Colfax, Monroe but made their home in Mitchellville. Making their life even brighter, they had two children, Mandy and Nathan who even as adults shared their life on the farm.

Joan and Max enjoyed farming, this passion became Pumpkinville and Corn Maze. Joan looked forward to Fall and greeting returning customers, who she considered family, with a warm smile and joyful “hello”. Joan’s enthusiasm for farming and gardening included Spring Garden tours for preschool groups.

Over the years, much of her spring and summer time was spent volunteering to run the concession stand for Mitchellville Little League. From donating the starting supplies each year to making sure it was open for each game, “Grandma Joan” made sure each player could enjoy a game day treat.

Joan always had a twinkle in her eye and a smile on her heart; they were called grandchildren. She would recount many special moments with them. Nathan was an ear cuddler, Will loved Grandma’s hair to twist, tug and cuddle. Paige, Tyler and Mason made her laugh out loud, and loved running with their cousins. All five grandchildren were very much at home on the farm and loved the animals, nature walks and pumpkin picking.

Joan loved nature, it was so satisfying to see her gardens and flowers grow. She planted hundreds of trees in her lifetime which will stand as a testament to her ability to make the world a better place.

Left to honor her memory are her husband Max; two children, Mandy (Steve) Zook, Nathan (Melissa) Allsup; five grandchildren, Nathan and William Zook, Tyler and Mason Metcalf all of Mitchellville, Paige Masker of Des Moines; one great grandson, Vincent Masker; two siblings, Dennis (Marcia) Wing of Pleasant Hill and Greg (Deb) Wing of Runnells; her sister in law Crystal (Richard) Brafford of Texas and brother in law David (Teresa) Fraker of Colorado and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Preceding Joan in death was her father Gale Wing, Mother Leona Wing and Sister Sheila Navis.

Joan was a beautiful person who spread joy and happiness everywhere she went. Her wish was to have a celebration of life on the farm she loved so much. This spring as the flowers and trees begin to bloom, we will celebrate her joy.

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