Joan Underwood

Joan Underwood, 82, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Friday, March 29, 2013, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic.


Joan Acelia (Bice) Underwood was born January 12, 193,1 in her parent's home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She died Friday March 29, 2013, at the Cass County Memorial Hospital at the age of 82. Joan was the daughter of Martin and Virginia (Fitzgarrald) Bice. She was the youngest of 4 sisters. Joan graduated from Franklin High School in 1948 and from Iowa State University in May of 1952 with a degree in Home Economics Education. She then taught Home Economics in Collins, Iowa.


Joan married Raymond Underwood in June of 1952. She lived at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and the Iowa communities of Collins, Lake City, Mallard, Spencer, Emmetsburg, and finally in Atlantic where she resided for 52 years. To this marriage four children were born.


Joan was an avid homemaker; devoting her entire life to her family. She served her community as a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Leader, Church School Teacher, a member of United Methodist Women, and a member of the AF Chapter of PEO. Joan loved to travel. Her hobbies were quilting, genealogy, reading and bridge. Joan, whose ancestors arrived on the Mayflower, was a double member of the Mayflower Society.


Joan was proud of her family's connection with and dedication to Iowa State University and was an enthusiastic Cyclone fan. Joan and Ray and their four children all graduated from Iowa State University.


Joan is survived by her husband Ray of 60 years; children, Mark (Diana) of Sioux City, Judy (Michael) Maubach of Webster City, Roger (Connie) of Ames, and Jeff (Lori) of Muscatine; grandchildren, Jacob, Andrew Hale, Aaron, Rachel, Jenna (Justin) Lain, Michelle Maubach, Lisa Maubach, John Maubach, Andrew, William, Macy and great-grandchild, Tucker Lain. She is also survived by sisters, Jean Wilkins and Ruth (Robert) Arnold; sister-in-law, Jacque Underwood; brother-in-law, Chuck Underwood; and many nieces and nephews.


She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Virginia Manson; brothers-in-law, Wayne Manson, Cliff Wilkins, William, Max and Herbert Underwood; and sisters-in-law, Edith and Charlotte Underwood.


In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the Atlantic Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund or Atlantic First United Methodist Endowment Fund.

Visitation with family will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2013, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at First United Methodist Church in Atlantic. A private family burial will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.