Joan Alfreda Tucker

Joan Alfreda Tucker

Iowa City

Joan Alfreda Tucker, 98, of Iowa City and later Cedar Rapids, IA, died September 7, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Joan was born May 10, 1926 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Walter and Delia (Appel) Froberg. Joan graduated from Proviso High School in Maywood, IL. She continued her education at Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA and the University of Iowa, earning an M.A in both Botany and Library Science as well, returning later to U of I for a teaching certificate.

A lifelong advocate of education as well as a voracious reader of religious and scientific books and periodicals, Joan became the librarian at Mercy School of Nursing, Iowa City, and later a science and reference librarian for the Iowa City Public Library.

Joan met Norval Tucker in a religion studies class when they were both students at U of I. They were married for 59 years until Norval’s death in 2008. Joan and Norval were active members of the West Branch Friends Meeting.

Joan’s botany degree informed her passion for plants of all kinds. Joan and Norval were members of the Garden Club and were well known for their gardening and bountiful produce which fed her family and others. Joan continued her gardening until her final years.

Proud of her Swedish heritage, Joan and Norval traveled many times to Sweden to pursue her family history and introduce her family to Swedish relatives and friends. During their travels, first in the U.S. and then Europe and Japan, national parks, museums of all kinds, and botanical gardens were frequent destinations.

Joan is survived by her three children, David (Annie), Bruce (Bonnie), and Anita (Alan); five grandchildren, Naomi (Jose), Benjamin (Sara), Eric (Erin), William Norval (Sarah) and Molly; and six great-grandchildren. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Norval and brother Walter Jr.

A private graveside service will be held at Hickory Grove Cemetery near West Branch. Arrangements for a celebration of life gathering are still pending. Please refer to www.lensingfuneral.com for updates. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Domestic Violence Intervention Program of Iowa City or the Willis Dady Shelter in Cedar Rapids.