Obituaries for Joan Stoops (1942 – 2021) – Kenai, AK

Joan Elin Stoops, after a long illness, passed away on December 17, 2021, with her loved ones by her side. She was 79 years old. She was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon on June 2, 1942, to John F. and Jeanne E. Botens. She spent most of her childhood in Oregon. A cowgirl at heart, mom liked to tell stories about her childhood on a cattle ranch in Oregon. She shared stories about the Pinehurst, the one-room schoolhouse, the stagecoach house, going back to school naked and more. Her family settled in the Caribou Hills at the North Fork of the Anchor River after taking the month-long trip on the Alcan in 1958. Mom attended Ninilchik High School for her final two years of studies and graduated in 1961. His first job was at the Hewitts Drug store in Homer. In 1964, she married David “Pinky” Stoops and raised four children together. Mom and Dad moved from Anchor Point to a lovely ranch house on Knight Drive in Soldotna in 1969. Mom and Dad were the dynamic duo, super capable handymen. After remodeling, adding a garage, gardens and a greenhouse, they bought their first beehives and began a lifelong passion for beekeeping. In 1975 they built a family home on a beautiful spot overlooking the mouth of the Kasilof River. Mom never doing anything halfway, planted an orchard, a huge garden, and had an endless parade of pets and animals. Mom was always taking care of someone. Our house was always filled with children and guests from all over the world. Mom and Dad started Alaska Bee Supply and built a small store on Kalifornsky Beach Road. Alaska Bee Supply was a staple of the Alaska State Fair for many years. It kept us kids busy working at the honey shop and the fair and mom carrying honey to stores all over the state. Mom began a career in the telecommunications industry in the 1980s. This eventually took Mom and Dad to Colorado and Washington. She was a natural technician, she immediately understood how computers work and we had one of the first MacIntosh computers at home very early on. She was everyone’s computer help guru for the rest of her life. Mom was a talented craftswoman and mastered many skills. At 73, she decided to start weaving. She took a class, filled a room in her house with looms, and spent the last years of her life creating beautiful textiles. The thing that brought her the most joy has always been her family. She cherished her children and grandchildren and cherished every moment spent with them. His warm presence and endless love will be missed by his family and friends. We will remember her in our gardens and greenhouses, in our kitchens preparing food, laughing around our tables playing cards, creating beautiful textiles and knitted treasures, in our beehives and watching the birds and wildlife.
She is predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, David W. Stoops, her parents, John and Jeanne Botens, and brothers William (Bill) and Donald (Don) Botens. She is survived by her brother David Botens (Margie), her children, Tammie (Randy) Stoops, Brenda (Paul) Dale, Jody (Brad) Reausaw and Dawson (Shelly) and her grandchildren. Anya, Isaac, Megon, Audrey, Quinn, Benjamin, Katie, Jacob, Victoria and Lauren and great grandchildren, Carter, Julia, Eloise, Emile, Hawkin, Addie and Amelia and many much loved nieces and nephews.
There will be a private family event at a later date.

Published by Peninsula Clarion on February 6, 2022.

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