Joan Luke

Joan Luke, 92, passed away peacefully at her home in Simi Valley, California, on April 8, 2025, just shy of her 93rd birthday. Born on April 20, 1932, in Buhl, Idaho, she was the oldest of the three children of Orral Stanford Luke and Marjorie (Harper) Luke, both of whom preceded her in death.

Joan's family moved to Bakersfield, California during her early teenage years. Her parents were both educators, and she followed in their footsteps. She graduated with her AA degree from Bakersfield Jr. College in 1952.  She then received her bachelor’s degree majoring in Childhood Education and minoring in Music from BYU-Provo in 1954. She spent most of her career, up to retirement, teaching kindergarten in San Diego. Much of her free time was spent singing with the Masterwork Chorale in San Diego, playing the piano and organ, and traveling extensively worldwide.

She was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, usually using her musical talent being the organist. Family was extremely important to her. She kept recorded histories of her pioneer forefathers, and had lifelong friendships with her many cousins. She adored her younger siblings, Marcia and Larry, and was incredibly proud of her seven nieces and their accomplishments and families. She will be missed dearly by all of them.

She had a sharp wit, loved a well-written thank you note, and would laugh and shake her head at the crazy antics her family would get into. She was generous, often helping her nieces, and was a long-time sponsor of teachers and a child in Uganda.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orral and Marjorie, and her sister Marcia (Luke) Merta and brother-in-law, Steve Merta. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Barbara Luke and her seven nieces: Kristine (Luke) Halladay, Michele (Merta) Hellewell, Cheri (Luke) Housley, Kari (Merta) Palacios, Debbie (Merta) Davis, Jennifer (Merta) Barrera, and Natalie Luke Cannon, their husbands, children, and grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Bakersfield, California on April 26, 2025, followed by a private remembrance at Dewar's Candy Shop, which is where Joan's dad would often take her for a treat.