Joanne Colson

Joanne Goode Colson, 86 of Washington, died Monday, March 18, 2019 at the Washington County Hospital. Funeral Services have been set for 2:00PM Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Faith Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Elm Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6:00PM Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Beatty Funeral Home.

Joanne Goode Colson was born May 18, 1932 in Des Moines, Iowa as the only child of Dossee and Blanche (Jones) Goode.  A 1950 graduate from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa, she graduated from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois, in 1952 with a major in Christian Education.

After Moody, she returned to Des Moines where she worked at Banker’s Life, and was Secretary and Christian Education Director at First Federated Church.

It was there that she was reintroduced to a Moody acquaintance, the young pastor of the new Baptist church in Adel, Iowa, the Reverend Elwin W. Colson.  Joanne and Elwin were married August 26, 1955 at First Federated Church.  They moved to the Chicago area as Elwin studied at Northern Baptist Seminary.  Joanne was employed in the Christian Education Department at Scripture Press in Wheaton, Illinois.  She served nationally as a Christian Education consultant throughout her life.

Joanne was a dedicated pastor’s wife.  They served churches in Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Kansas.  She was passionate about children’s christian education, leading Sunday school, children’s church, and vacation Bible school.  She treasured singing alto in church trios.

They moved to Washington, Iowa in 1990 when Elwin became Chaplain of Mount Pleasant Correctional Center and the Medical & Classification Center in Oakdale.  Joanne worked at Washington Chamber of Commerce and ResCare Community Services.  She enjoyed volunteering from 2010 – 2016 at the Washington Hospital Gift Shop.  She continued to serve at Faith Baptist Church in Washington and was an enthusiastic competitor in their Fantasy Football League, winning the league championship at 85 years of age.  Her husband, Elwin preceded her to Heaven on November 21, 2012.

Joanne is remembered by all for her joyful spirit, lively laughter, and gracious hospitality, loving nothing more than feeding a crowd and serving others.  She never missed an opportunity to share her faith.

She is survived by her son Randall Elwin Colson (wife Valerie) of Dallas, Texas; daughters the Reverend René Colson Hudson (husband Gordon) of Deer Isle, Maine and Moorestown, New Jersey, and Rachelle Colson LaMaster (husband Stephen) of Cambridge, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren, Catherine Emma and Christopher Elwin Colson; Sophie Blanche, Anwen Grace and Hallie Claire Hudson, Magdalyn René and Ada Grace LaMaster.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be contributed to Faith Baptist Church at 1220 W. Madison Street, Washington, Iowa  52353.

Joanne’s greatest joy was knowing the Lord from childhood and in serving the Lord throughout her life.