Joan Patricia Stern

Joan Patricia Stern, 96, passed away June 6, 2026, at Mountain Springs Assisted Living in Spirit Lake, Idaho.

Joan was adopted from the Washington Children's Home when she was only a few days old. Her parents, George and Florence Schober, lived in Hoquiam, Wash., and she was their only child. Joan attended school in Hoquiam and graduated from high school there. After high school she was off to College at WSU for a degree in veterinary medicine. It was during that time when colleges were flooded with vets returning from war wanting to go into the same field. So, she changed her mind and enrolled in the University of Washington where she met her future husband, Robert J. Matzke. They married and had three children: Diane, Linda and Richard. When they separated, she returned to Hoquiam and worked at People's National Bank as one of Washington's first female lending officers. In 1962, she was offered a transfer to the Moses Lake branch, and that is where she met Harry H. Stern, her husband of 50-plus years.

Joan enjoyed an exciting and full life. Harry owned and operated Harry's Radiator Shop for over 50 years, Joan first retired from People's National Bank, as manager, and continued to assist the family-owned business for many, many years. But sitting idle was not in her nature; Joan's commitment to community service extended far beyond her career and retirement. She was one of the founding members and served as treasurer of Moses Lake Grant County Humane Society; she served on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Farmers Market; she offered significant service and support to Soroptimist; she was a member of the Ice Age Floods Institute; she was administrative assistant to the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and received the prestigious “President's Award” from the Chamber, in recognition of distinguished leadership and dedicated service; she was a Master Gardener; and she was the voice every Saturday morning on the local radio station, sharing her knowledge with anyone experiencing “bugs or diseases.”

Joan will be remembered for her pioneering spirit, her devotion to family, her love of nature and the countless lives she touched through her kindness and service. Her legacy will continue to bloom in the gardens she nurtured, the community she helped build and the family she loved so dearly.

Joan is survived by her children, Diane (Bob) Koenig of Wenatchee, Linda (Gary) Schultz of Athol, Idaho, Richard Matzke of Fort Benton, Mont., and Harold Stern of Moses Lake. She is also survived by six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry H. Stern, and stepson Clark (Snorkey) Stern.

At Joan's request, there will be no memorial service; a Celebration of Life will be held later this fall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Daze of Camelot via Pioneer Veterinary Clinic.