On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ called Joan Willis Den Hartog home to heaven where she is now singing with angels and dancing on streets of gold.

Joan was born June 28, 1934, in Pampa, Texas to John Wesley Willis and Iva Mae Stewart. She was the youngest of eight girls and was lovingly mothered by Maud Jordan Willis after the death of Iva Mae. Joan and her sister Wanda moved often with her father who was a building contractor, living in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Washington before settling in Fresno in April 1947.

After graduation from Washington Junior High, Roosevelt High and attending Fresno State, she was employed at the Pacific Bell administrative office. In 1953, while part of the First Presbyterian Church bowling team at the Fresno Palace Bowling Arena, Joan met B. Marion Den Hartog. Joan and Marion were married June 24, 1956 after Marion served two years in Japan with the US Army. In 1963, Marion and Joan acquired a residence on 10 acres, with permanent pasture, which they named the Lazy DH Ranch.  Here they raised their family with cattle, chickens, cats, dogs, horses and a country lifestyle.

Joan loved teaching children, playing piano, singing, dancing, and doing volunteer work in the community; and passed on these interests to her children. Through the years, she was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, University Presbyterian Church, and New Hope Community Church – all in the Fresno/Clovis area.

Joan enjoyed travel down the Mississippi River, Columbia River and the east coast by steamboat; bicycle tours in Vermont, Louisiana, North Carolina and northern Sierras; touring various countries in Northern Europe; and traveling to Iowa, Colorado and the California coast. Many treasured memories were created while vacationing at the family cabin in Truckee.

Joan was known for her hospitality: She welcomed people into her home for events building community for Clovis schools, churches, and the Clovis Community Hospital Guild; having fun with beloved friends from The Calendar Girls; and was always available to support any of her family's activities. She loved to cook and created all sorts of delicious meals. Joan's kitchen was her absolute domain.

Joan was predeceased by her seven sisters and husband Marion. She is survived by sons Douglas Marion Den Hartog Sr. (wife Margaret), Marshall Wayne Den Hartog (wife Denise), and daughter Marguerite Joan Den Hartog McAfee (husband Eric); twelve grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren.

Joan's Celebration of Life will be at New Hope Community Church on Wednesday, September 3rd at 11:00 am.