Joan Leone Britzmann

Joan Leone (Smith) Britzmann, of Moscow, died Sunday November 23, 2024 at Paradise Creek of Cascadia in Moscow. She was 92.

Joan was born on October 13, 1932, in Hudson, South Dakota, to Myrtle (Lentz) and Leon Desmond Smith.  She was raised with love on the family farm along with her older siblings, Dixie and Jack. Joan met her husband to be, Burt Britzmann, during her high school years at Hawarden, Iowa. In 1952, they married during college at the University of Iowa where Burt was transitioning from playing quarterback for the Hawkeyes and premed studies to medical school. Joan graduated from the nursing program with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. They became parents and the story unfolds. Joan and Burt began their journey raising their six children.

Through Burt’s medical training and military service, they traveled from Iowa, to Utah, and then Germany before finding their forever home in Moscow, Idaho. Joan enjoyed being a mother not only to her children, but also to the neighborhood children and her children’s friends. There were always brownies, cookies and cake for visitors who were welcomed to the Britzmann home. During Joan’s free time, she addressed the challenge of washing clothes in a  laundromat-style basement with jeans, shirts and sports gear organized like a clothing store. But she allowed the underwear to be open competition, which the 4 sons pursued with a passion. Consequently the boys excelled in wrestling and football.  Whether it was preparing meals for her family or entertaining friends for an evening of bridge, Joan was ready to handle a large gathering. We are thankful for her open heart toward many people and pets who came to the family home.

Joan had a quick wit and enjoyed a good joke. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing along from memory.  With a busy family life, she loved to fish, golf, bowl, play cards, crochet, knit, read, and snow ski. She usually caught the biggest fish which was a competition between her and Burt. A special escape for the family was to a cabin at Lake Coeur d’ Alene. Joan/Grandma Jo was always cooking up a delicious meal. Kauai was the place of peace for Joan. She and Burt loved their island get-a-way.

Joan was a member of P.E.O. International and always enjoyed the friendships with this sisterhood of women. She was a long-time member of the United First Methodist Church and the Moscow Elk’s Lodge Golf Club. Joan masterfully juggled her many responsibilities with grace. She provided support for others without calling attention to herself. Her true love was Burt as they journeyed through life for 65 years together.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her brother (Jack), her husband, and her son (Doak).  She is survived and lovingly remembered by her sister, Dixie; her children, Dianne (husband John), Brad (wife Leslie), Mitch (wife Jean), Margo (husband Curt) and Dan (wife Katy); her 8 grandchildren, Leslie, Steven, Elisabeth, Bradie, Monterey, KiKi, Sophie and Sam; and her 4 great-grandchildren, Willem, Adriaan, Brandt, and Liv.

Thank you to the staff at Good Samaritan/Paradise Creek Health & Rehabilitation for providing 12 years of support for Joan. She called her room,“home” and those around her family.  She loved to sing songs from her childhood memories to church hymns which reflected her inner joy. She is at peace now.

“Make a joyful noise to the Lord,

All the lands!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into his presence with singing!”

Psalms 100: 2

The family will be honoring Joan’s life with a graveside service at Moscow Cemetery on December 6 at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be pleased to have donations sent to the Moscow Humane Society, Gritman Foundation or a charity of your choice.