Joan Badura

Joan D. Badura, 76, of Fremont died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at her home.

Joan Dolores Heist was born April 5, 1933, in St. Edward to John Willis and Ruth Glyenne (Wathen) Heist. She attended schools in Omaha, St. Edward and Albion, graduating from Albion High School in 1951. She married L. Anton “Tony” Badura in Albion on Oct. 27, 1952, and moved with him to Grand Island, Rapid City, S.D., Broken Bow and O’Neil due to his employment with Northwestern Bell, later US West and Qwest.

In O’Neil she took up oil painting and was a founding member of the Ranchland Arts Group. As Americanism chairman of the Legion Auxiliary, she spearheaded O’Neil’s first formal flag disposition ceremony, and when Tony became Legion commander, they were instrumental in creating the Avenue of Flags at the O’Neil Cemetery.

In 1976, they moved to Fremont where Joan became active with the Fremont Archers. After Tony retired they played pitch at the Eagles, took several cruises and were active members of the Telephone Pioneers and of the Fremont Coin Club. Joan served as the first woman president of the Fremont Coin Club and was a life member of the Nebraska Numismatic Association.

Joan’s most recent hobby was genealogy. At all family gatherings, she became known as “the lady with the snoop sheet.” She researched, compiled and published both sides of her husband’s family history, as well as researching and compiling her own.

She is survived by her daughter, Jodean and son-in-law, James Brannock of York County, Pa., and her half-sister, Mary (Siedlyk) Vannoy of Omaha.

She was preceded in death by her husband, three infant children, her parents and stepfather, all her aunts, uncles and grandparents.

The memorial service will be 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont. Family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, and 1-2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, all at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell.

Memorials may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061.

Condolences may also be sent online at www.mosermemorialchapels.com.