Obituary of Joan K. Plank

Joan K. Plank 1936 – 2008 (Joan’s Dash) Joan was born June 30, 1936, the first child of Richard (Dick) and Jane Koken, in Eugene, Oregon. On May 2, 1938, Joan was joined by brother Fred. In 1944, the Koken family moved to Coulee Dam where her father helped to build the turbines. At the beginning of her senior year, the family moved to Punjab, in northern India, where her father worked for the Indian Government building the Bhakra Dam. Joan studied the last six months of her senior year at Woodstock, a boarding school in Mussoorie, India. After returning to the USA, she attended the University of Oregon for one year. In 1956, Joan married her high school sweetheart and moved to Pullman, WA. There she worked for the Washington State University Accounting Department while her husband was an engineering student. Upon his graduation, Joan and the family began their many years roaming the world beginning with the move to Niagara Falls, where their son, Richard, was born. Three years later, daughter Diane was born in Oregon. They moved a total of nineteen times in sixteen years following jobs working on power plants and radar sites. Their moves had them living in such exotic places as Afghanistan, Thailand, Canada and many states in the USA. Then in 1972, the family moved to Alaska. Joan and her children were enamored with life in Alaska and Joan ended up living there longer than any other place in her life, twenty-one years. While there, she attended the University of Alaska in Anchorage, earning a BA in business administration and was certified as a public accountant the following year. In 1982, Joan’s marriage ended and she became a single mother. October 7, 1983, Joan married Don Plank, an acquaintance of many years in the church they both attended. She was working in accounting at the University of Alaska and Don was a retired Air Traffic Controller and newly ordained lay minister in their church. In 1993, Joan and Don set out in their motor home leaving Alaska behind to travel full-time. After five and one half years moving from place to place every two weeks, places began to run together. They had visited all fifty states and were now ready to settle down. January 1999, found Joan and Don moving into their home in Panorama City. Joan had the distinction of being the only third generation resident in this retirement facility. During the past nine years at Panorama City, Joan stayed very busy. She enjoyed hobbies such as knitting, crocheting, camping, reading, and playing Bridge. But the thing she loved best was volunteering her time to help others. She served as board member and treasurer of the Panorama City Foundation, President of PC/C.A.R.E., President of the AARP chapter, AARP Tax Aide coordinator, an MC for the Panorama Channel 26-726 TV station, president of her PEO chapter and PEO group. She also served as both a Stephen Minister and Leader for the ministry at the United Churches of Olympia. Joan is survived by her husband, Don; her son, Richard (Julie) Showalter; daughter Diane (Brooks) Ludwig; five grandchildren, Jessica Showalter, Will Showalter, Ian Ludwig, Fin Ludwig and Eli Ludwig. Her brother, Fred (Karen) Koken; and two step-daughters, Valerie (Randy) Bahl and Pattie (John); and three step-grandchildren, Meghan, Kent and Puneet, and many, many friends. Contributions may be made in Joan's name to Alzheimer's Association Central and Western Chapter, Seattle or the Panorama City Foundation, 1751 Circle Lane SE, Lacey, WA 98503. Please leave your online memories of Joan and your condolences for the family by clicking on the "view guestbook" link below.