Joan Myers

Joan Myers

Joan Zmina Myers passed away on Feb. 6, 2022 at the Haxtun Health Extended Care Unit at the age of 77.

Joan was born Dec. 29, 1945 in Cleveland, Ohio Larry and Helen Zmina; she had three siblings including David, Joyce and Kathy. Joan graduated from South High School in Cleveland and was valedictorian of her Class in 1964.

She spent her college years at Colorado State College in Greeley where she majored in Education and graduated in May of 1969. Joan taught in Greeley for nine years at Madison Elementary School and Chappelow School. While living in Greeley, she met and married Larry Myers of Haxtun and made their home on the farm south of Haxtun.

Joan took a break from the classroom when they were married, and soon after, their son Craig was born in 1978. For two years, Joan and Larry served as foster parents to two brothers, Pete and Gene Knight. When Craig started kindergarten in 1983, Joan began teaching full-time as a kindergarten teacher in Yuma at Morris Primary School, where she continued to teach for 15 years. Joan enjoyed teaching and giving young people the thirst for knowledge.

When Joan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she decided to take early retirement to travel with Larry when possible; they took lots of trips back to Cleveland to visit family and went on cruises to Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Panama Canal. In 2019, Joan and Larry became "snowbirds" as they bought a retirement home in Mesa, Ariz.

Multiple Sclerosis continued to take her balance and strength, and in late 2021, Joan was admitted to the nursing home in Haxtun. She was always giving to others, even in the end; her last gift was the donation of her body to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. The hope of a cure for Multiple Sclerosis was always at the forefront of Joan's mind.

Joan leaves behind her husband Larry Myers, Haxtun; son Craig and wife Krystal Myers, Parker; granddaughter Callie; many cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Joan is preceded in death by her parents; daughter Mary Katherine Myers; brother David Zmina; and sisters Joyce Zmina and Kathy Zmina Kraynak.

In lieu of flowers, please donate any memorials to the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation here: https://mssociety.donordrive.com/campaign/Joan-Myers-Memorial.