Martha Joan Rorebeck Nelson, daughter of Warren Cleo and Ida Louise (Darby) Rorebeck, was born on February 4, 1933, at Coin, Iowa. She passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2007, at Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah, Iowa, at the age of 74.

Joan's early life was spent in the Coin and rural Northboro area. She attended school in Northboro, graduating from Northboro High School with the Class of 1950. Following high school she attended Clarinda Junior College receiving her teaching certificate in 1952. She taught at the Northboro Community Schools and later at College Springs, Iowa.

On November 23, 1960, Joan was united in marriage to Nels Ermal Nelson at Sterling, Colorado. Following their marriage they resided in Merino, Colorado, where she taught school. After their retirement they moved back to Northboro. Joan later moved to Forest Park Manor in Shenandoah and had most recently resided at Garden Care Center, moving there in May of 2007.

Joan was a member of the Northboro United Methodist Church and attended services at the First Christian Church upon moving to Shenandoah. She was a great cook and enjoyed cooking for everyone. Joan loved family get-togethers on the holidays, birthdays and any other special occasions. She enjoyed spending her spare time listening to music, playing the piano, eating out, going for rides and shopping.

Preceding Joan in death were her parents, Warren and Ida Rorebeck; husband, Ermal; sister, Jean Cox; brother, Duane Rorebeck; and infant sister, Doris. Survivors include her brother, Don Rorebeck and his wife Rita of Shenandoah, IA; nieces and nephews, Leanne Billiau of Abington, PA, Jim Rorebeck of Albuquerque, NM, Bev McKenney and husband Les and family of Shenandoah, IA, Janice Ray and husband Kent and family of Fairfax, MO, Mike Cox and wife Carol and family of Farragut, IA; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 29, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Rev. Karen Bash. Caring for the flowers was Lora Lea Fulk. Attending the memory register was Jean Polsley. Casket bearers were Mike Cox, Les McKinney, Chris Olson, Chris Moore, Kent Ray and Ron Nelson. Interment was in the Union Grove Cemetery at Northboro. Memorials in Joan's name are being directed to the Brooklyn Olson Medical Trust Fund. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.