Joan Lea (Heineman) Henry (April 4, 1938 - October 18, 2026)

Joan was born in Elma Iowa to Victoria (Mishak) and Leo Heineman April 4, 1938. She was the

second youngest of eight children. She spent her girlhood in Elma with her sisters Tory and Marie and

brothers Ray (Raphael), Alfred, John and Father Joe who served in the military during WWII. Her

older brother Msgr. Don graduated from college and then seminary. Joan was the final survivor of her

siblings.

At one of many local dances, before Joan graduated from high school she met Merle Henry and less

than 2 years later, they married. From earnings she provided her own “dowry” which she and Merle

used to buy 5 cows, and they briefly lived on the Henry Farm.

In 1965, following Merle’s college graduation with a civil engineering degree, they packed their

belongings and 5 children: Peter, Lynne, Joyce, Stephen, and Tony into their green Rambler and

moved to the Golden State. After several moves, in 1972, Joan’s growing family settled in Yuba City,

with baby Bruce and Theresa came later.

Joan took her job as mother, homemaker and wife very seriously. The family sat together for dinner

each night where Joan shared her passion for healthy eating and good table manners. Though

everyone knew she strayed from time to time, especially after Merle found a hidden Sara Lee

Coconut cake and helped himself to what was left. It became known to all when she found the box.

She graced the kitchen table with many delectables: pumpkin and blackberry pies, peach cobbler and

jams. She made butter from Monte Heffer’s (cow we kept on the acre home) milk and then bread from

the butter and fried the dough for a favorite side.

Out of economy, industry and creativity she sewed. She made most of the curtains in her many

homes, and strove to make a beautiful home for her family. Through the years she sewed and altered

clothing as needed, which was often, being such a tiny person.

Through her example and direction she taught her children the same industry and encouraged them

to be curious and responsible. They grew into positive contributing professionals and citizens. Her

impact on the world will continue 7 fold.

The two anchors of her life were her Catholic faith and her husband, Merle. Together they practiced

Catholicism with devotion, seeking a deepening understanding and insights through the years. They

attended weekly mass, until Joan no longer could, and then accepted the host after mass, when

Merle brought it home for her. Through novinas and other traditional practices Joan sought peace

through prayer.

Merle and Joan’s love and appreciation for each other grew as well as the years “piled up.” They

explored this world together camping, traveling to Europe and all over California. Both agree it was a

rich life. This month would have been their 69th wedding anniversary. 

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11AM Tuesday November 10, 2026 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marysville CA with Father Michal Olszewski officiating. The Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery In Dobbins, CA.